by Mike Wood, Ed Brune School Superintendent

Oma Bell Perry’s vision for a children’s home at her Big Springs Ranch always included the wish that the Ranch have "village elders" – seniors whose presence would enrich the lives of the children through that unique combination of love and wisdom the world has come to cherish.

Her vision has borne fruit in many ways. Last fall Susi Mitchell and Judy Fisher, two "Grandmas" living at Big Springs Ranch for Children compiled a cookbook of recipes from supporters, staff, children, and Auxiliary members.

The cookbook project was a labor of love and a token of appreciation to the Perry family who donated the beautiful Ranch to serve, heal, and teach children.

It included Frio Canyon pioneer recipes with cherished contributions from the Perry family whose historic ranch on the headwaters of the Frio River is now home to our children.

In publishing the book, Judy and Susi also desired a fundraiser that would help provide recreation equipment for the children living at BSRC. By the time of the annual dedication of new buildings at the ranch, almost 500 cookbooks had been sold. A second edition with a special new cover is in the works.

The proceeds enabled the purchase of three new kayaks for the recreation program. Kayaking not only helps develop gross motor skills, but also empowers children to develop a sense of independence in maneuvering and navigating life’s choices via a fun activity.

The expression "learning to paddle your own canoe" comes to mind when we think of teenagers moving toward adulthood. We hope that they learn to pull their own weight and to make good decisions so that they can lead productive and happy lives. For children "in care" who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, this lesson is made more difficult by the examples that have been set early in their lives. Many have been moved from pillar to post, in and out of various foster care facilities, uncertain of where they will end up next.

Our childrens’ survival skills may have included stealing food, lying to avoid a beating, or running away from predatory adults. Some of them have seen parents or siblings murdered. These are children with deep emotional and often physical scars. The learning curve for life is steeper than it is for most children, and they need to "get it" before they "age out" of the system. How do we go about instilling a sense of self worth, of the importance of integrity, and the critical necessity of steering clear of real world dangers?

Do it with joy. Do it in fun. Get them out in nature, surrounded by God’s wonders.

 Put them in a one-person kayak on a stretch of pure, clean, slow-flowing water. Give them a paddle. Show them how to stay off the rocks. Paddle next to them so they are supervised. Teach them water safety, to wear their life jackets and sunscreen. Watch them go from awkwardly spinning in circles to becoming confident paddlers.

Show them the swallow condominiums on the cliff. Laugh with them when they splash water on you. Splash them back. With these damaged children you then will be a part of their transformation and healing. You will witness them learning to make decisions. When you are in a kayak, you alone are in charge of where you go. You quickly learn how to paddle in the direction you choose. There is a feeling of mastery in the buoyancy a river provides, and that lifts the spirit while imparting skill.

We grandmothers compiled the cookbook out of love and a dedication to our children, and were fortunate to raise enough money to purchase new kayaks. We then paddled with our "grandchildren", learning how along side them, seeing the fruits of our labor.