Article May 7, 2007 Issue

DEAR CHILD

BY DAVID ROBERTSON

On my daily commute I'd pass a residential community where this sign was posted: "Deaf Child Area." The message gave drivers a helpful alert about a child needing special support. One day, however, I noticed the sign had been changed—the F had been changed to an R, so the sign now read "Dear Child Area."

Later I learned that it was the child who had changed the sign. Apparently he or she had chosen to be recognized in a more complete way. After that, I watched with greater care for this child.

Though I have no way of knowing, I like to think that he or she had actually taken an important step toward healing. Mentally resisting, even rebelling, against labels and limitations, along with the desire to take on a more spiritual identification is a wonderful way to start the healing process—and a first step in Christianly scientific prayer.