Becky frowned and set her crayon down. “When you come to Rawhide, you become part of our family, and family just loves each other. They don’t need a reason. They just do,” she explained simply.
Palmer reflected over Becky’s words.
“But I do think you make Rawhide Ranch better,” Heather said, looking at Becky.
“Yeah. That’s definitely true. Your kindness really adds sparkle to Rawhide,” Becky agreed. “You have a way special way of seeing people and making them feel safe.”
Palmer thought about Becky’s words, letting them sink in. Her chest felt a little lighter. A tiny bit of pride started to bloom where her nervousness had been.
“I think maybe you are looking for reasons to earn our love here, but you don’t have to do that. Ever. We love you because you’re ours,” Becky added.
Palmer played with the edge of her coloring page. “Thank you, Becky.”
Becky smiled. “A lot of us have been where you are,” she explained patiently. “Some of us came from bad places too—places where love wasn’t available. And others came from places where love had to be earned—it definitely wasn’t unconditional.”
Palmer took a deep breath and looked Becky in her eyes. She knew what her friend was saying was going to be profound to her healing.
“So we understand how scared you are, scared of messing up, or maybe scared of losing all the good you just found,” Becky added.
That wasexactlyhow Palmer felt.
“But I promise you with all my whole heart that won’t happen here, Palmer. You’re safe, and loved, and ours.”
Palmer tucked Becky’s words in her pocket along with her Daddy’s. She thought maybe on dark days, she’d pull them out and reflect on them.
“Oh, what pretty pictures, little ones,” Miss Samantha said as she walked to the edge of the art table. “I love all the bright colors you’re using.”
“Thank you, Miss Samantha,” Palmer said.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Becky added.
“Tanks!” Heather said.
“Heather and Palmer, did you have a good first day?” she asked.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m glad I stayed,” Palmer said.
“I had fun too.” Heather nodded.
“I’m so glad to hear that. Do you feel like you will be back tomorrow?” she asked, kneeling down.
“I will, my Mommy said so,” Heather answered confidently.
“I don’t know, Miss Samantha,” Palmer answered, frowning. “I would like to come back, but I don’t know what Daddy’s schedule for me is.”
Miss Samantha smiled thoughtfully. “You know what? I have a monthly calendar that has all the fun things we're doing this month on it. Do you want to take it home for you and your Daddy to look over so you know what days you don’t want to miss?”
Palmer nodded, enthusiastically. “Yes, please.”
“Let me grab you one, sweet girl.”
Palmer kicked her legs while she waited on Miss Samantha to bring her the paper. “Thank you,” she said, taking it from her and looking over the days left in May.
May 14th National Dance like a Chicken Day
May 17th Crazy Sock Day
May 20th National May Ray Day—Bring your Sunglasses and Sunscreen
