This is the second incident of two illustrating the power of compassion – I described the first in the previous post.
Just a reminder; these incidents are examples of situations where compassion and surprise (which is linked to creativity) transformed impossible situations.
This incident happened when a female student who was on placement with our Project was on an activity with me. We were bringing a young woman on a recreational activity.
This young woman was one of the most hurt that I have ever met, and her family would have had all nine characteristics in my description of our Focus Group. In her younger years she had been in care but now, at 15, was back in the community again.
On the activity, our student got on great with the 15 year old, and showed her a precious family heirloom that had been given to her by a deceased relative, and how precious this item was.
As we were returning home, after a very good day, the student suddenly noticed that her heirloom was missing. We searched everywhere in the minibus, front, back, seats, floor, dashboard.
Now there was no doubt in my mind that the 15 year old had taken it. Her body language and demeanour, anger at being asked a simple question, etc. were all a giveaway. I tried everything. For example, how much it meant to the young student with whom she had built up a very good relationship. Also, what consequences would ensue if we went to the Gardaí and reported the loss – as we would have to do, it being such an important item. This cajoling, bargaining and threatening went on for quite some time. Even though I was getting angrier, I was getting absolutely nowhere, and I knew it.
For a short while, there was dead silence in the front of our little minibus.
Next thing, I noticed the student weeping very gently. This was not pretence, or done for effect. The tears being shed were very genuine tears as she faced the loss of her precious keepsake. Weary from the struggle, I had no idea what to do or say.
After a few moments, the 15 year old piped up ‘Oh look at the floor, I think I see it’.
And with great speed, and impressive sleight of hand, managed to pick it up from the floor, presenting it to the student with great joy.
With unbridled relief the student thanked the 15 year old for her honesty and I also weighed in with some positive comments on how good her eyesight was.
In the next post I will attempt to unpack this incident and the previous one in respect of compassion.