The Enchanted Cottage — Orange, Texas

WHERE EVERY BIRTHDAY GIRL BECOMES A PRINCESS AND MOM
CAN RELAX AND BE QUEEN!

Celebration begins with the crowning of the Birthday Princess seated on the throne accompanied by her royal guest.  A keepsake photo is taken to capture the royal affair.  Next the royal party is seated at a table fit for a Queen.  Scrumptious sandwiches chosen by the Princess along with cheesecake bites, chocolate dipped strawberries, and peach tea are served on royal china. Crystal and linen serve as a beautiful display of royal fanfare.

Yes, little girls are treated to royalty at The Enchanted Cottage by owners Kim and Bob Forman.  But, that is not all that takes place at the cottage.  Serving as foster parents for over 25 years, Kim and Bob’s “Princess Decorated” Cottage has become a place of ministry not only for foster children in our community dealing with losses, but to other children as well.

They graciously invited me to teach a four-week workshop at the cottage, based on my book, Helping Hurting Children: A Journey of Healing. On Saturday night, children between the ages of 6-17 entered the cottage so Bubby the Rabbit, the five kids from my book, (that’s them on the table) could help them learn about more about losses and how to cope with them.

And what a night it was as children began to name losses in their lives.  From the death of their grandparents, parent, having to make multiple moves, and even the death of a pet pig.  Oh yes, I kid you not – -the death of a pet of any kind has a tremendous impact on a child, especially one so tragic as the way Timmy (not his real name) explained his pet’s death.

In the midst of the stories, Kim gave the kids the royal treatment just as though they were at one of her birthday parties as food galore was placed on the tables for them to munch on.  Bob told stories of losses stemming from his childhood while Stephanie Brown brought in crafts for the event. And the pictures you see were made by husband, Glen, who faithfully serves as my website designer and photographer.

Oh yes, Kim, Bob, Stephanie, and Glen are definitely INVOLVED in helping hurting children.  My prayer is that you, too, will see the need to help children in your community, church, school learn ways of coping with losses in their lives.

Remember, as Hillary Clinton once wrote:

“It Takes a Village” [to Raise a Child].

For more information on how you can become involved, leave a comment or send me an email, and I will be glad to help you find the way that works best for you.

Join me next week as I tell you about another lesson the kids learned about loss and grief at The Enchanted Cottage.