We were volunteering at a Christmas Festival held at Livs old school this past weekend. I was thinking about how smoothly things were going and as I looked up, I found Olivia was gone... I wasnt worried about her safety, I was more wondering what might have prompted her to leave our relatively quiet room to venture out into the noisy, crowded and fun-filled festival hallways. This was her old school so I pictured her maybe taking a tour down memory lane...checking out her old classroom, maybe running into some old classmates...or a former teacher. I was hoping shed be re-living a fun memory or two. She had been a great help to us in the cookie decorating room....replenishing our cookies, candies and icing at each station immediately after each customer. She was earning some volunteer hours that are a requirement for graduation in our province. Shes been pretty worried about collecting these hours, so it was a great activity for her. After a bit, I wandered down the hall myself, peeking into the games room, the craft room, the Silent Auction in the gym ...and it was there, I saw her. She was being led by the hand of a little girl no more than 6 years old...it was an odd sight because she really isnt a fan of young kids. She has often said that she doesnt like children. She bent down to listen intently to what the little girl was saying and laughed a bit... I watched as she gingerly moved about the gym with this little pint-sized girl, treating her like she was made of glass. I was mesmerized, really. The mother of the girl came right over to introduce herself...and then I remembered her. This little girl gave MY big girl some purpose last year. Towards the end of the year, Olivia met this girl at school and for some reason, they connected. Liv would read with her and help her with her coat. The teacher told me about the connection. This sweet little girl has Autism too (as well as another genetic condition) and she would come and seek out Olivia to take her outside to play at recess and Olivia, who hadnt ventured outside for many recesses last year, would happily go and watch her, like her guardian of sorts... It was a strange and wonderful friendship and at the end of the school year, Liv wrote the little girl a letter and made her a drawing. Her Mom was so nice as we chatted and she said that she was so touched by Livs letter that she has it framed in the little girls room. She was touched that her little girl could have affected Liv in such a positive way and she was grateful for Liv and how she interacted with her girl. She even asked if Liv might like to come over sometime. The funny part is that although there is almost a 10 years difference between the two girls, they found each other. And as much as the girls mom said that Olivia had helped her daughter...that little girl helped Olivia too. It was a mutual friendship where each persons need was fulfilled... The little girl needed Olivias help and Liv felt so good about helping her. I really think it gave her such a boost. She was happy to be needed....happy to be sought out, happy to feel wanted... I wonder if they knew...or if it mattered... I wonder if they recognized the difference in each other and said, Hey...I know you... But this unlikely pair forged a friendship and for everything this little girl gave my big girl....I am forever grateful...
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 05:40:08 +0000
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