Jennifer’s poem of gratitude

Jennifer is a young teen whose family moved to three different states while trying to escape their abuser. Each time, he found them and the abuse continued. When they finally found their way to The Shelter, they were emotionally exhausted. Jennifer feared that he would find them and they would once again face the violence they were so desperately trying to leave behind.

Jennifer’s abuse caused her considerable emotional harm. During difficult days, when overwhelmed with anxiety, she found solace in The Shelter’s peace garden. Listening to music, painting, and journaling also helped Jennifer cope with her emotional pain.

As her family settled in to Shelter life, Jennifer attended The Shelter’s Afterschool program. She was excited about meeting new friends and was welcomed with respect and understanding. She especially loved doing arts and crafts and spending time with Winston, The Shelter’s therapy dog. She also enjoyed field trips and outings that involved nature.

It was during one of these outings, a visit to the Naples Botanical Gardens, that Jennifer found herself freed from the pain of her past and empowered to step into the sunshine of her new life. I would like to share this beautiful poem that Jennifer wrote following that visit.

JENNIFER’S POEM

Words fail me in the darkness
And there is nothing I can say
So I write that I try and strive every day
to make my future better than it was in my past

I work on stepping out of the darkness
and coming into the sun
because rising up and stepping up
is something that needs to be done

Today I work on my future
getting better every day
So I thank the people that have helped my family and I
find our way

Because angels are what I see
when you help me
For I remember the darkest days before you came
I hope that we’ll be the same

One foot after the other
One foot in front of the other
Slowly but surely stepping out of the darkness
and coming into the sun.