Story time

Enough already... we need a story.

Little Ryan has had a tough life, lots of losses, and pain we could not start to imagine.  Now he's living with his grandma, Rose,  a wonderful woman who dotes on him, in all the right ways.  She knows what he's been through and knows that he is doing the best he can. She looks on him with  infinite calmness, constant patience, and inestimable insight.  If you met him you you might look askance at his scowl and be shocked by his occasional foul language.  You might wonder why he doesn't seem to be able to play well with others, and  why he sometimes just prefers to hide than to be seen.

Today Rose goes to register Ryan for his summer program, a day camp where children learn that they are worth everyone's efforts, where they can feel equal as human beings, and where their struggles and hard work are recognized. The director greets Rose happily, and exclaims how pleased she is that Ryan will attend this year, that they are waiting to see how well he is doing. Rose looks perplexed. "But this is Ryan,"  she stresses.  "He couldn't manage last year and got sent home."  "I know," she is assured, "but he's sure to do better this year."  Rose can feel her heart swelling in her chest.  "No one has ever wanted to spend time with Ryan." she says, as her tears begin to flow.