The Volunteer

Glancing at the clock on the wall, she knew it was time for her nightly journey to fulfill the promise she had made. She looked in on her children before heading out of the door to her 1957 Mercury that although it had some scratches and some dents, it was the only car they had. The old car was far from perfect but to the family of five, it was a limousine of the highest order.

Before leaving the house, as she had done countless times, she made sure her youngest, a little girl of 3, was warm and comfortable, glanced at her other daughter, a 5 year old in the nearby bed, walked across the hall, smiled at the poster of the motorcycle that her 8 year old son kept on the wall, kissed her husband goodnight, whispered in his ear that she loved him and that she would be back in time to make him breakfast, and left the house for the center.

It had all begun a few years before when her good friend from grade school had shown up at her house with their 6 year daughter. The little girl was severely mentally handicapped and the family could no longer take care of her. The physical and emotional strain had eventually been too demanding on the family and although a difficult decision, it was time to put her in an institution. But the fear of leaving her there among strangers was too great for the loving family who lived far away, and on the way, they stopped to see their good friend to ask her a question that would change the woman's life forever.

"We are going to place our child in the school for the severely handicapped. Would you check on our little girl and make sure she is okay?"

These words would both haunt her and comfort her for the rest of her life. She often recalled that moment of hesitation as she considered her answer. What did this mean exactly? What did "check on" require? Did she want to do this? Would it take much time and energy? Could she really make a difference? These thoughts and more ran through mind rapidly before hearing herself say, "I promise to look after her."

Now the words "I promise" are often used haphazardly in today's world as a way to placate another person or to demonstrate a pretension of sincerity with no intention of keeping the promise. But to the woman, a wife and mother of 3, the words "I promise" represented a verbal commitment to long-term responsibility.

She recalled, wryly, her first time to visit the center. Instead of the sweet, learning disabled children she expected to see and to spend effort helping by reading to them, playing games, and telling stories, she found a crowded room full of severely handicapped children whose limitations were beyond the scope of her imagination. As she stared in astonishment at the scene before her, every part of her being wanted to run out of the room, never to return; and yet, she continued to stare, frozen in place, with a mixture of fear and determination as she recalled her promise to watch out for the little girl whose mother was a friend. Would it matter to the little girl? Would the people ever truly know whether she kept her promise or not? Strangely, these questions never entered her mind.

She found the child among the others and began the process of helping her, not trying to remake her, as she originally intended, but simply helping. She helped her wash her hands, eat her food, get dressed, put on her shoes, walk across the room, sit down, stand up, share her toys, play a game, hold a book, smell the flowers, throw the ball, hug a friend, hold hands, and mostly to love the life she had been given. As the woman helped the little girl, she felt herself change, and with the same grit and determination that gave her 3 children, a husband, a home, a life that although not always easy was filled with over-flowing love, she embraced her promise and her responsibility and began volunteering on a regular basis.

Each night when all had turned in and with her family safely in bed, full from dinner, relaxed and happy, her husband asleep, she would go to the family car, drive to the center and begin her work as a volunteer. Cleaning, gathering materials, counseling, redirecting behavior, sewing, washing, hugging, praising, encouraging, and doing everything she could to help the institution and the clients within. Her own children never knew of the woman's efforts since all took place while they were sleeping. They did know that each morning they saw their bright, happy mother and ate of the delicious breakfast before them as they prepared to go to school.

The years eventually became a full-time paid position for the special woman who had remained dedicated to her calling and fulfilled her promise. While she did earn her degree and became a leader among social workers, garnering respect and admiration everywhere she went, she did so without fanfare or self-accolades, but always with excellence and uncompromising devotion. The initial promise resulted in 45 years of making a difference in the lives of thousands of special children.

A heart-felt thanks to the volunteer for sharing of so much of yourself, your time, and your gifts.