We're all the same and yet...so different. Helping a child for the holidays.

For most of my professional life, I've worked with children and families in some capacity or another. As much as I have seen, I'm still amazed by the lifestyles some people lead. I know of a handicapped child.  I don't work with this child, but I'm familiar with her. She's a sweet girl and was clearly in need of a boost for the holidays. Her hair never looks neat and another therapist and myself decided to do her hair.

I brought shampoo and conditioner and the other therapist brought a blowdryer and other hair styling accoutraments. When we began to work on this kid's hair, it was clear it hadn't been combed in months. Honestly, I can't tell how long it's been, but it was a long time. I've never seen that amount of dandruff in anyones hair before. It kind of looked like butter! It would have taken at least three shampoos, maybe more, to get it all out, but because of the child's physical condition, she couldn't sit back any longer to continue with more shampoos. We did the best we could. It took three hours to finish the job. And remember, this does not include the extra shampoos needed to really do the job right.

If you're a loving mother or aspire to be one, you ask yourself: how could someone feel so little for their child to allow this to happen? One thing I've learned other the years is that there are many people who give birth, but they have little love. Having a child does not automatically equate with being a good mother. This child is clearly not her mother's priority.

Things that should be common sense are foreign to some segments of the population. If you watch some of the daytime shows with the wacky guests, you know what I'm talking about. Some people have a different value system that is beyond--sometimes way beyond the average. And you know who suffers? Their children. Then many of the children accept this as a normal lifestyle and develop the same habits.

The little girl was so happy. She couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror and smiling.The other therapist and myself encouraged this child to comb her hair everyday. It's something she's never been taught to do. We hope to give her the salon treatment at least once a month to try to get her on track with good grooming.

If you're a good mom, your children are blessed. If you had a good mom, you are blessed. Not everyone has it like that.

Where and when you can, when the occassion presents itself, be a blessing to someone else, regardless of what time of the year it is.

Toodles!