| Dear
...
Seldom
do most of us realize when we've changed another's life.
Sometimes it happens so gradually that we might not
give it much notice. It's something akin to seeing someone
everyday and not really realizing that they've grown
3" in the last 3 months. In fact, (with the exception
of jumping rope) Zoe does not recall ever being unable
to do the many things she can now do effortlessly. These
things feel that natural to her now.
However,
I remember a girl who cried uncontrollably every morning
when awakened for school, a girl who couldn't get herself
dressed in the morning or brush her hair, much less
put rubberbands in it. This little girl could not play
on a "baby" playground because the equipment's
metal mesh 1/2" holes might swallow her up. She
hid from any strangers or changes, especially sudden
changes. She was unable to make friends beyond her mother
and sister. The one girlfriend she might have had became
estranged/rejected for playing with "boys".
Boys were an unbearable danger. She could not open the
doors in the house or car (she still has some difficulty
here). I was called to school each time there was a
puppet show so that I could remove and console her without
disruption. Zoe was unable to participate in her weekly
Eurythmy classes at school (music and movement). She
would fall off her chair at meal times and fall flat
on her face while standing still and having a conversation.
The family was affected as well. We lost friends and
became increasingly isolated because of not being able
to do what other families could do. The list goes on
and on.
Today,
we have in our family a happy, very chatty little girl
named Zoe who is nearly the delightful 2 year old Zoe
I remember so fondly. She wakes in the morning, generally
happily; dresses herself and does her own hair. She
clambers across almost any playground equipment we throw
at her (perhaps with help at first), and together Zoe
and Elizabeth have run miles and miles as horses and
jumped homemade jumps that I wouldn't dare. She loves,
loves, loves school and has many friends. In fact, it
is notable that she has become a ring leader in one
of the playground games directing all of the other children
EVEN the boys. Zoe's self esteem is terrific. She is
her favorite fan. In the past, she called herself 'dumb'
and referred to Zoe as her "angry" name. Zoe
is and has always been unusually bright. The difference:
now SHE knows it. Again, the list goes on.
What
I am trying to say is that you have changed Zoe's life,
and in no small way. Where she goes from here is very
different from where she would/could have gone before.
I will always be grateful to you for your light-hearted
friendship and training of Zoe. From the bottom of my
heart, thank you for giving me back my little girl.
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