I went to that house and knocked. She answered. We visited the whole day.

She was very shy, but I knew how to make her feel comfortable. I really saw her. I listened. I understood. I offered her a calm, loving presence, where she could bring her troubles and set them down a while. A place to rest.

She didn’t need to be or do anything. She could go off-duty, no need to watch out.  She could feel likeable. And safe being liked.

We even cleaned up her room.

I tucked her in, and as I left, I turned out the light and said,

You will survive. Know this. No matter what comes, you will survive. You can handle it and you will be okay.