“Hi, Mommy, what are you doing?” asked Penny.
“I’m making a casserole for Mrs. Jackson next door,” said her mother.
“Why?” asked Penny, who was only six years old.
“Because Mrs. Jackson is very sad; she lost her daughter and she has a broken heart. We need to take care of her for a little while.”
“Why, Mommy?”
“You see, Penny, when someone is very, very sad, they have trouble doing the little things like making dinner or other chores. Because we’re part of a community and Mrs. Jackson is our neighbor, we need to do some things to help her.
Mrs. Jackson won’t ever be able to talk with her daughter or hug her or do all those wonderful things that mommies and daughters do together. You’re a very smart girl, Penny; maybe you’ll think of some way to help take care of Mrs. Jackson.”
Penny thought seriously about this challenge and how she could do her part in caring for Mrs. Jackson. A few minutes later, Penny knocked on her door. After a few moments Mrs. Jackson answered the knock with a “Hi, Penny.”
Penny noticed that Mrs. Jackson didn’t have that familiar musical quality about her voice when she greeted someone. She also looked as though she might have been crying because her eyes were watery and swollen.
“What can I do for you, Penny?” asked Mrs. Jackson.
“My mommy says that you lost your daughter and you’re very, very sad with a broken heart.” Penny held her hand out shyly. In it was a Band-Aid.
“This is for your broken heart.”
Mrs. Jackson gasped, choking back her tears. She knelt down and hugged Penny. Through her tears she said, “Thank you, darling girl, this will help a lot.”
Mrs. Jackson accepted Penny’s act of kindness and took it one step further. She purchased a small key ring with a plexiglass picture frame – the ones designed to carry keys and proudly display a family portrait at the same time.
Mrs. Jackson placed Penny’s Band-Aid in the frame to remind herself to heal a little every time she sees it. She wisely knows that healing takes time and support. It has become her symbol for healing, while not forgetting the joy and love she experienced with her daughter.
