Teddy Bear Hearts
Reprint of an essay that I wrote after volunteering to help stage the Children’s home of Detroit. It was published in the Special edition of the ASP newsletter. I also read this at the 2006 International Symposium.
It was a wet and dreary Saturday. I was having second thoughts about my decision to volunteer what little free time I had. The idea of helping fellow stagers dress a children’s home for Worldwide Staging Services day was a worthy cause, but after staying up half the night with my three year old and waking before the sun with my baby, I was spent before the day began. Really what difference would it make if one person didn’t follow through?
My conscience got the better of me so I reluctantly drove to the meeting place. Some of the other women were already there. We helped ourselves to donuts and coffee, which seemed to lift my mood. The rain stopped as the last of the group arrived.
Excitement began to build when everyone unveiled their bedding choices for the young girls that we were helping. To our surprise, all of the bedding coordinated. This bunch had good taste!
As we entered the cottage, sweet little faces began to peek out here and there. The girls, who ranged in age from eight to twelve, were obviously thrilled that we were coming to beautify their rooms.
The existing bedding in this home must have at one time been cheerful, but it had definitely seen better days. We arrived just in time! Our group broke up into teams and set to work. I was touched at all the little treasures each girl had collected and lovingly gathered on her own desk in the rooms. I saw simple things like hair bands, pencils, and half a stick of gum, saved for a later day. When I looked closer I noticed things that I couldn’t understand at first, such as a small statue of a woman that was missing its head. Then it dawned on me that these children have so little, something I would simply discard if broken, they still cherished and kept safe. I began to realize that it wasn’t just a charity event I was volunteering for, but a chance to help someone in need.
While we were busy staging, one of our group had generously offered to host a teddy bear party for the girls to keep them occupied until the unveiling. I took a short break to peek in at the children and see how their toy stuffing was going. As I looked across the room I noticed a young girl off away from the group. She sat staring in to the distance. The sadness in her eyes was overwhelming. Why wasn’t she joining in the fun? As I turned to go I heard one of her counselors ask her if she wanted to whisper into the little felt heart that each bear received. She was told it could hold her hopes and dreams for her. I saw her face as she thought about this and simply replied, “Teddy Bears don’t have hearts.” How sad it is for one so young to have had experiences in her life to cause her to think this way. My throat began to close as I walked back up those stairs. Who was I to think that giving a child new bedding would change anything? I was discouraged but set back to work. After all we had to finish the job we started.
Finally, the rooms were perfect. All beds were dressed beautifully and each room was bright and cheery. The girls were called to see what we had done. There was a burst of excitement as they ran upstairs; I was reminded of Christmas morning. It was astonishing to see them discussing the colors and patterns of each bed. Amusingly, they began to trade accessories and such with each other. It was exhilarating to watch them take the fundamentals that we had given them and add their own personalities to it.
As we looked on, the small girl that seemed so withdrawn approached and asked who had dressed her bed. I stepped forward and told her that I had been the one. My mind began to race and my confidence quickly diminished. What if she didn’t like it? Did I unintentionally move something that I shouldn’t have?
As I racked my brain to try and figure out what I had done, she timidly walked toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I didn’t know what to say as she quietly said thank you and walked away. Her counselor turned to me and said. “I haven’t seen her hug anyone. She just doesn’t do that”. Right then and there I knew that these girls had given me much more then I had given them.
What if I hadn’t followed through and simply said I was too tired or too busy. Someone else might have taken my place, but I would have missed out on such an astonishing learning experience. I arrived that day thinking I was helping to provide a group of children with new bedding. Instead, they gave me a new outlook on life.
As I look back on that day, I think of the child that spoke the words “Teddy bears don’t have hearts.” While giving her a new room might not change her mind-set, letting her know that someone cares about her certainly will. The world is a cold place sometimes. I’m so glad that I had the chance to help wrap this child in love, at least for a short while. Teddy bears may not have hearts in her world but I would like her to see that there are people around her that do. If I could just whisper my hopes and dreams into this child’s heart I would want her to see a world of beauty and love. She certainly helped me see it.
©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz
