Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. – Helen Keller

Hope is being able to see there is light, despite all of the darkness. – Desmond Tutu

And Love. Love is the light itself – revealing the truth of the beauty in what He created. – Unknown

She came to us in spring, all hard edges and armor. Battle-scarred and ragged by life on the home-front – every look and posture a conflicting cry of “I don’t like you” and “please see me.”

The oldest of her siblings, she was leader of the pack, guard of the tribe, child in the role of parent – unprepared, yet desperate to protect, desperate to project “us against the world.”

She wore anger as a medal of honor bravely earned, a symbol of survival in a world where ruthlessness and combativeness were crucial. She had seen cruelty at every level, lived cruelty at every level and walked with the weight of both on her head.

She stayed with us through summer, lived the moment after intentional moment of patient love and consistency, of fair firmness, of words aptly spoken – truth to her soul awakened long-forgotten memories of who she was created to be.

Both orchestrated and spontaneous events of hearing life-words and being seen began to lighten her load and erode her protective shell, dissipate her anger.

Both orchestrated and spontaneous events of seeing her sisters be valued and cared for allowed her to relax into love and rest in trust, relax her affect and open up to allow others into the carefully guarded circle.

She excelled at leadership. Seen. In a group at camp, she was the biggest cheerleader – forging friendships, giving grace, encouraging those same souls she once was certain she did. not. like.

She loved music. Seen. Invited to lay down tracks at the talent show, invited to DJ at camp, invited to shine –

she was brilliant.