The ruthless fire of 2014 left indelible scars on little Niuniu. Severe burns ravaged her face and hands, and her fragile body was swathed in layers of white gauze. She was given the name “Snow Doll”. For more than ten years, she suffered from gruelling surgeries, constant dressing changes, and awkward glances from others. After travelling far and wide for medical treatment, she finally came to the welfare institution. She shut herself up in her room all day long, overwhelmed by grievance and helplessness.
Niuniu was born in December 2009 and held dear by her parents. But in late 2014, a sudden fire engulfed her home. The parents lost their lives. The five-year-old girl was afflicted with extensive burns across her body and severe finger deformities. To survive, she underwent a tracheotomy and depended on a ventilator to breathe. Her entire body was swathed in white medical gauze, resembling a tiny snowman when looked at from afar. The moniker “Snow Doll”, given by the media and netizens, stayed with her throughout her long journey of medical treatment.
With continuous loving social support, she was transferred to Beijing 304 Hospital. After long-lasting painful skin grafts, hand reconstruction and rehabilitation training, she finally came to the welfare institution, her temporary“home”.
Those harrowing days of raw wounds, frigid medical equipment, and agonizing dressing changes hurt so much that the girl withdrew into own little world that is closed to everyone.
When I first met Niuniu, she shut herself behind closed doors. I tiptoed into her room, sitting quietly by her side. My loving presence finally unlocked her guarded heart. She drew near to me and shared what had troubled her for years.
Learning that she loved painting, I invited her to our birch-bark pyrography workshop. Raw birch barks and warm pyrography pens offered a quiet space for her to unwind. Amid the soft whispers of other children, the girl lost herself in the creation. On the birch mark, she painted a tender girl who held a bouquet of flowers with a sweet smile.
Midway through her creation, weariness that had built up over the years suddenly hit her. She put down the pyrography pen and whispered that she felt worn out. Without a word, I took her outside and quietly stayed with her as we walked slowly. She began to open up and talk. Her voice was soft, yet every word rang clear. I listened attentively and gave gentle responses from time to time, letting her know that she was accepted, no matter what.
A soft breeze swept by and cheered her up. Her steps grew lighter, and a spark flickered back into her eyes. Back in the activity room, her face lit up with a faint smile.
During the 2-3 months we spent together, I relieved her anxiety bit by bit. I told her that everyone has his/her own life and should stay true to himself/herself. Whenever she felt distressed, I would reach out to talk her through her troubles. I encouraged her to keep up with our pyrography classes and stay ready to share her creations with other children, so that she could regain confidence and passion for life.
One day, Niuniu shyly handed me a long handwritten letter. The paper, worn from constant touching, had slightly crumpled edges. Every character was written with utmost care. At the bottom of the page was a clumsily penned yet sincere message: Sister Xixi, I love you.
My gaze fell on the birch-bark pyrograph again. The maiden cradling flowers stood quietly on the bark, gentle yet powerful. Snow Doll, once burnt by flames and trapped in agony, finally cast off all her wariness and opened up to me completely.
Day after day, Chunhui child social workers stay with the children, listen to them patiently and accept them as they truly are. Their loving care allows the children to blossom. Niuniu’s letter and birch-bark pyrograph are the most precious rewards for my efforts. I am more convinced than ever that even the deepest scars of the past can be healed by long-standing care; and even the darkest life will finally embrace its own sunlight and thrive.
