By Jim Davis
I had the privilege, from 1982-1987, of serving as Spiritual Life
Director. And it was indeed a privilege!
There were two emphasis in my work there: to be present with the
kids and to be a sanctuary - no strings attached - for those kids who appeared
to be facing life’s challenges and difficult situations. These situations often
included upcoming placement decisions, discharge anxieties or tragedies in their
families. I provided comfort and individual time meant to be a special time
for the student.
Most often, these kids were referrals from the program staff
who’d say, "You know Jim, we’ve got someone who could use a special time."
Some of those referrals were amazing - kids psyching out others with the occult,
gang leaders learning they had the power to lead and some who’d simply never had
anyone take a special time just for them.
When providing a special time for a kid, I gave them a
choice. It was pie and ice cream or whatever plan B was for the day. A day trip
to Alyeska. Out for pizza. I think I took 30 kids individually to see the movie
ET and we talked about it afterwards.
The agency had a little old station wagon we used for
transportation. Kids felt safe opening up in the cocoon the car provided. It was
up to me to determine what was under the mantle of privileged information. My
average week included anywhere from one to ten special times. That old
station wagon held many different stories from those times.
My most unforgettable Christmas Eve was taking a young lady from
the Emergency Shelter out for a special time. We went window shopping. I
quietly asked the clerk to show me what she was interested in.
He showed me an inexpensive little glass box and I asked him to
discreetly wrap it up. When we got back to the shelter, I presented the gift to
her.
"What for? For me?" She questioned. "What’s the catch? Really?!"
The truth was, no one had ever given her a gift before that
moment.
She opened the package. We both wept. I wished her a Merry Christmas. After
she went back into the shelter I felt "strangely warmed1" and that
warm I can still feel today.
1. Reference to John Wesley’s experience about which he wrote
that he felt the presence of a divine other with his heart being strangely
warmed.
