You are loved

His day starts with a ray of sunshine that pokes through the gaps between the slabs of wood that make up a small house. He hears his brothers shift under their wool blankets in bunk beds as he gets up to greet the day with the rooster's crow. He gathers his dirty laundry, which consists of his one set of tattered play clothes and grabs a bucket and bar of soap. He walks to a nearby stream to gather water and his hands scrub every inch of his clothing, rinse it out, and lay it on a wooden fence to dry.

He looks up to meet eyes with one of his brothers and offers a tiny smile. He puts on his school uniform ties his little shoes, and goes to the dining room for breakfast. His caretaker greets him with a warm smile and hug. She gives him an orange, bread, and a hot tea. He lives with 23 other boys who don't have a mother or father in the morning. During the day. Or at night. 

When that ray of sunshine hits his face, I want him to feel the warmth from all of the people I know who fight for him. When he leaves for school, I want him to feel the support from all of the people I know who believe in him. When he goes to sleep, I want him to know that he is loved by so many. When I go to sleep, my prayer is the same for each of them. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.

She was beaten so severely by her mother that she was taken away by the state. There was no shelter for her in Jefferson City so authorities had her sleep in a juevenille jail cell. You are loved.

She was abandoned at the age of 4. Completely abandoned. No food. No shelter. No family. You are loved.

This is happening everywhere. In our own backyards.

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