Valerie Sanchez

Mrs. Kim talking to sophomores Kai Madrigal and Alexis Ortiz. Photo by Valerie Sanchez

Could you ever imagine someone you walked by in the halls has taken care of extraordinary animals? Everyone has a story. People walk past strangers every day, not knowing the stories they carry, stories someone may never hear unless they take the time to listen. But when someone listens, not just with their ears but with their heart, they begin to understand. 

One of those tales belongs to Ms. Kim Davis, the school custodian. Before taking on this role, she spent her days working at Exotic Feline Sanctuary in Tennessee. She took care of lions, tigers and cougars. Her story sparked curiosity in everyone around her. When her neighbor’s house caught on fire, Ms. Kim and her family had to evacuate quickly, but inside the home was a baby lion she had been caring for. She carefully evacuated the lion. While outside, the volunteer firefighters couldn’t help but be curious.  

“The volunteer firefighters were gravitating toward our driveway to look at this baby lion,” Ms. Kim said. “I was like, ‘Guys, will you fight the fire, and I promise you, you will be able to see the baby lion.’” 

Although she had many extraordinary memories, she could never forget the heartfelt experience that left her in tears. It was the day Toby the cougar was in labor, and one of the cubs was stuck.

“We built an enclosure for Toby to have a little bit of privacy to have the baby, and three of the babies were inside of the enclosure,” Ms. Kim said. “The owner and the vet helped her have the baby, and the vet handed me a towel. She said ‘here hold this,’ and I’m standing out there holding this towel. All of a sudden, she hands me this thing, and I go ‘what am I supposed to do.’ She said ‘open it, open it.’ It’s a sac with a baby in it. I open this little sac, and the water comes out. Here is this wet little bitty cub. I started crying.”

Ms. Kim’s journey has been filled with heart-touching stories. Today, she carries them quietly, reminding others that behind every person lies a story worth knowing, one that can only be discovered when someone takes the time to listen. Once a story is heard, it reveals a side of someone that cannot be unseen, and from that point forward, they’re no longer just a stranger but someone whose heart has touched another’s.