02/09/2022
Thank you to the wonderful and talented Eliana Gil for this one!
"To my fellow play therapists:
The fear in your eyes haunts me
The way your small body marched in soldier-like,
The way your voice spoke in hushed tones,
uncertain and small. The way you arrived.
The joy in your eyes is unforgettable, I can still see the day your face smiled large,
How you learned to speak with confidence
with Turtle on your hand.
And the day your laughter and voice filled the room,
surprising us both.
And you learned to move your body freely, no longer needing
to hold yourself tight. You unraveled in the best of ways.
How you learned to trust
As the lion and the rabbit travelled together,
into a forest of possibilities.
The first time your left hand rested on my knee,
And I held my breath,
As your right hand held the big brush,
dipping into bright colors,
making a sun
To grow the flowers in the ground.
And I remember your sweet face
As you put your hand inside the plastic bag full of sand,
My gift to you, to take home.
Incredulous, you skipped out to show your loving mom.
And when finally, your doll house was filled
With food, and playing, and loving hugs.
And playing school, with teachers who listened and
were gentle and kind.
And so you left changed. And I remained changed.
One year of visiting your "magic room,"
Of being seen and heard,
and allowed and encouraged,
And accepted, just as you were. No rush. No hurry. You expanded.
Play therapy is magical, respectful, gentle, relational, honest, motivating, reparative, and my best-best trusted process.
Be proud of what you do and who are you are and what you offer. Happy National Play Therapy Week!!"
- Eliana Gil
