The story of Safyre Terry is both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.
Terry is only eight years old. She has severe burn scars on over 75% of her body. She lives without a right hand and left foot.
In 2013, she lost her father, her mother and two brothers when her family’s apartment burned down as a result of arson.
She now lives with Liz Dodler, her aunt and legal guardian, in Rotterdam, New York.
That’s the heartbreaking part. But here’s the hopeful part to the story:
Earlier this month, Dodler gifted Terry with a Christmas card holder.
Shortly thereafter, a family friend shared a photo of Terry (above) standing alongside the holder and wrote the following message along with the picture:
I wonder how many of my friends would take the time to write and send Safyre a Merry Christmas card that she can hang on her card tree….
The message went viral and Safyre now has more Christmas cards in her possession than she ever dreamed possible.
“I really think I am dehydrated from crying so much … This is absolutely amazing, it takes my breath away,” Dolder wrote on Facebook yesterday in response to the outpouring of support.
“We, my family and I have been through so much darkness of this world. Then to see the most powerful BEAUTY of the world. The world coming together to make Safyre’s wish come true is unfathomable.
“All along we knew God saved her for a reason, never in ours wild dreams, did we think she would move the hearts of many worldwide.”
According to TMZ, meanwhile, Safyre is a huge Katy Perry fan. She even sang “Roar” as part of a school talent show.
And she would love nothing more than to receive a Christmas card from Perry to add to her growing collection, which includes cards from such celebrities as Hulk Hogan and Yolanda Foster.
“Safyre lost everything – her father, her mother, her brothers, her home, her favorite toy, her favorite outfit – everything that was familiar to her,” Dolder told Today.
“She even lost the one thing we all take for granted – her reflection. But she wakes every morning with a smile on her face. She is the true definition of hope, faith, and love.
Amazing.
Here is the address for anyone who wishes to send a card to Safyre Terry: