I believe strongly in the powers contained within our actions and our words and the short or long term effect they can have on our environment, people near and dear to us and those who may not know us and yet something we say or do can reach across the miles and touch them in a positive or negative way. Although I'm not always successful, I try hard to speak, act and write in a positive manner.
While helping my granddaughter research ' Helen Keller' a woman named ' Anne Sullivan' became a person of interest to me and I'd like to share some of her story because if it had not been for Ann Sullivan we would have never known ' Helen Keller.'
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" Little Annie" Sullivan, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself.. due to a childhood fever and was at one time diagnosed as hopelessly insane by her caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On some occasions, Little Annie would attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she ignored everyone in her presence.
A elderly nurse believed there was hope and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Everyday she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurses presence but she still continued to visit. The kindly nurse left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed that Annie could recover, if only she was shown love.
Eventually, doctors saw a change in Annie. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted a emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day came when this seemingly hopeless child was released.
Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she was helped by the kind nurse. It was Anne who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world; but it was a loving nurse who first believed in ' Little Annie ' and lovingly transformed a uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher.
So, as I said in the beginning.... if it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would not have been known, but if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown.
I wonder.... just how far back can a chain of love extend and how far forward can it lead? It seems to me .... those we seek to reach whether they are in our family or elsewhere, are part of the chain of love that can extend through the generations. A legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for many years to come. Our influence in others lives, whether or not you see the results, is immeasurable. I don't think we could overestimate the power of love. I've heard it said about love that .... It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever.
