愛能療傷

廖　恒

四年前，孤兒院的人把魯克放在我住的旅店門口，他們連一聲再見也沒說，轉頭就走了。我收養了他。那時，他大約6歲，可僅僅只有28磅重，瘦小得可憐，他的臉上留有十字圖案的疤痕。很明顯，他受了驚嚇。

魯克在我的房里亂踢亂叫，我擋在房門口，以防他逃跑。他的哭聲，像動物的嚎叫，撕心裂肺。他肯定從未見過鏡子，迅速地沖過去，企圖穿鏡逃脫。為了阻止他亂踢亂竄，我用雙臂緊緊抱住他。經過一個小時的掙扎后，他終于累得睡著了。

晚上，我帶著他出去散步，他看著天空的月亮，高興得手舞足蹈。當我給他洗澡時，他又開始不停地哭鬧，我便和他一起玩水，這樣他才安靜下來，乖乖地洗澡。洗完澡后，滿屋子都是水，他咯咯地笑了。我拿來止痛的藥水，輕輕地涂在他被蚊蟲咬過的地方，然后給他全身擦滿爽身粉，穿上柔軟的睡衣褲。

第二天，我帶著他到孤兒院辦理收養手續。當工作人員走進辦公室時，坐在我膝蓋上的魯克兩眼直盯著他們，他突然拉過我的手，將我的手緊緊地環繞在他的腰間，生怕他們會從我的手中將他奪走。

在開始的那些天里，魯克一直很害怕，情緒十分低落，動不動就哭。他把食物藏到枕套里，還到垃圾桶里搜尋食物，看到這些，我心如刀割。魯克何時才能忘記孤兒院的生活給他帶來的傷痛，開始過正常的生活。

四年來，我一直深愛著魯克，用我的愛一點點地去改變著他。現在，魯克已經是一個聰明、開朗、活潑的四年級學生了。他的身上有一種無法抗拒的魅力：永遠充滿活力，是一個天生的運動員。老師夸獎他，說他在學校行為舉止得體，學習也很是刻苦。鄰居說從來沒見過比魯克更快樂的孩子了。

每當我回想起這些時，我就會被深深震驚。是什么改變了這個受到如此巨大傷害和驚嚇的小家伙。是特殊的治療，還是專門的心理咨詢，抑或奇特的藥物？都不是。要真正治愈和轉變孩子，只需要愛，愛是一切情感的基礎，它給人以同情，關懷，安全和信念。我相信，愛能療傷。

We adopted Luke four years ago. The people from the orphanage dropped him off at our hotel room without even saying goodbye. He was nearly six years old, only 28 pounds and his face was crisscrossed with scars. Clearly, he was terrified.

Luke kicked and screamed. I stood between him and the door to keep him from bolting. His cries were anguished, animal-like. He had never seen a mirror and tried to escape by running through one. I wound my arms around him so he could not hit or kick. After an hour and a half he finally fell asleep, exhausted.

That night we went for a walk. Delighted at the moon,he pantomimed. He cried again when I tried to give him a bath until I started to play with the water. By the end of his bath the room was soaked and he was giggling. I lotioned him up, powdered him down and clothed him in soft pajamas.

The next day we met orphanage officials to do paperwork. Luke was on my lap as they filed into the room. He looked at them and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist as if they would seize him away.

He was a sad, shy boy for a long time after those first days. He cried easily and withdrew at the slightest provocation. He hid food in his pillowcase and foraged in garbage cans. Seeing these, I trembled. I wondered then if he would ever get over the wounds of neglect that the orphanage had beaten into him and live a normal life.

It has been four years. I tried to change his life with my love because I love him. Now,Luke is a smart, funny, happy fourth-grader. He is loaded with charm and is a natural athlete. His teachers say he is well behaved and works very hard. Our neighbor says she has never seen a happier kid.

When I think back, I am amazed at what transformed this abused, terrified little creature. Was it therapy, counselors or medications?No. It was love. Love is primal. It is comprised of compassion, care, security, and a leap of faith. I believe in the power of love to heal.