THE LUCKY ONES

My first day on the job included an inclusive tour around the campus. Connie, our resident historian and expert tour giver, was my guide for the day. She strapped on her fanny pack, hopped in her little golf cart and away we went!

I followed Connie from building to building like a busy bee, opening every door, studying every historic picture, and hanging on her every word. We eventually made our way to the cottage where the older boys stayed.

Not quite sure what to expect when we walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. It didn’t appear at all like what I had seen in the movies. There were no rows on metal bunk beds with grey blankets and one single pillow. It looked remarkably like any normal house.

We walked down the hallway and there were boys playing games, smiling, laughing, and even teasing the house parent who was playfully teasing back.

When the tour of the cottage was over, the boys all waved at us and we shut the door, walked back to the golf cart and headed off to the next building.

Even though the children were happy and healthy, I couldn’t help but pity them. Living away from their family, having experienced a crisis bad enough to be placed in a children’s home. I couldn’t imagine how they must feel.

I looked at Connie and with a tear in my eye I said, “I feel so bad for these kids”.

She looked at me and with conviction in her voice said, “Don’t feel bad for these kids. These are the lucky ones. They have found their way to Tamassee. It’s the ones who need us who have not found their way yet that I worry about”.

All day I wondered what she meant by that.

How are these the lucky ones? These children have suffered abuse and neglect. They’ve witnessed violence. They’re trust has been violated by the people who were supposed to protect them and keep them safe. How is that lucky?

Over the next few weeks, as I became educated on the programs Tamassee DAR School had in place for these children, it dawned on me.

These children who I felt so bad for woke up every day in a safe environment to a nutritious meal.

These children who I wept for every night my first week here had clean clothes to wear to a school with teachers who value them and tell them how smart and talented they are.

These children who had a smile for me every time I see them because they were able to let go of their pain and confusion through therapy and grief counseling….

Wow, they are the lucky ones.