Gracie…
Imagine being ten years old, you are living in the middle of a pandemic that no one has an answer for, you turn on the news to hear about injustice and rioting in your city, you're told you are going to school online for an unknown amount of time, away from being able to socialize with people. It was an unprecedented, uncertain time for many of us, but imagine being ten years old with all that going on. This was the reality that the first group of fifth graders entering Mighty Oak was living through. This was the reality that a ten year old Gracie walked into on her first day at Mighty Oak.
When Gracie started we still had a mask mandate. That whole first year we all only knew each other by one another's eyes. Then as time passed and the masks started to fade, one remained, Gracie. For the first three years that I knew Gracie, I think I saw her whole face once. PE? Mask remained on. Lunchtime? She refused to eat. We continuously had talks with her about having to leave the mask one day. Still, the mask persisted. It almost became funny, like a joke that was taken to the extreme. I remember the first time that I saw Gracie without her mask, she had gone home and forgotten her phone. In her hurry to run back to school, she had forgotten to grab the mask. She actually had to stand at the door for a few seconds before I recognized her. This was the Gracie that we met and knew for two years.
Gracie (far left) on our 8th grade Washington, D.C. Trip.
Despite the mask, she was still a favorite among our entire team. Sweet, respectful, and smart enough to never get caught doing anything she shouldn’t be, she never caused any problems. Tall and athletic she was always able to keep up with the boys in sports. She was a straight A student. With a sarcastic sense of humor she could take a joke and give them too. Over the years, we got to know Gracie more and more. We were there for her when her father passed away last year. We are there for her now as her step-father fights for his life. Gracie will tell you that she is so thankful of the role that Shawn specifically has played through the years. She is so close to us all that she is sometimes asked if she is Shawn’s daughter. Through all of this, relationships were built, Love was shown, and Gracie was transformed.
The unconfident, self-conscious, insecure little Gracie that we met, had transformed into a confident person. The mask was finally dropped. She could finally string more than a few incoherent words together before turning and leaving the room. She could finally make eye contact and have a conversation. When she turned fourteen she was the first student who wanted a job. She actually said that the first time she ever came into the building, she had a feeling that she would work there one day. Now she is at Porkland every Friday after school, having to talk to new people. More crazy is she just went on the news and talked about Mighty Oak with clarity and confidence. She is a girl who has been able to find a place where she can just be her, and a second family that loves her.
Gracie using her newfound confidence to entertain the school with a Pool Noodle Derby Race.
If you are lucky enough to know Gracie and been able to witness this transformation over the last couple of years I am sure you agree. If you haven’t gotten the chance yet, stop by Porkland tonight, a person this amazing is worth the drive. Gracie, thank you for letting us share your story, and thank you even more for letting us be apart of it.
Ethan
Merriment!!!
Merriment is open for business Thursday and Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday from 11am-4pm. Donations can be dropped off Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-4pm. If you have any questions or to confirm a drop off time please call (502) 901-1105. We hope to see you soon!!
Fish Fry OPEN!!!
Stop by the Fish Fry to grab lunch, or bring the family for dinner, or just grab a bite while you check out the new windows!! Churched Up Tots or a Fried Fish Sandwich. However you do it, We’d love to see you!!!
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.