As a child growing up before World War II my parents, my brother, sister
and I being of Lutheran faith went to the beautiful Chapel by the Castle in my
home- town of Darmstadt on Sundays. When I was eight years old, I was asked to
join the choir. I felt honored to sing in the choir I loved the atmosphere
which surrounded us in this serene and charming chapel filled with fresco
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Marcie Sims is a teacher, author, and editor. She teaches literature/film, composition, and creative writing courses at Green River College in Auburn, WA. She lives on Vashon Island, just a short ferry ride away from Seattle, Washington. She writes fiction (short stories and novels), poetry, composition textbooks and has written one historic overview of Capitol Hill Pages as a former U.S. Senate page herself.
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3 replies on “Ilona Cole, Story 75”
I think all of Ilona’s readers and friends will be heartbroken by this tale of how she lost her faith and all the sadness she has endured in her long and full life. However, I also think, like me, they will be hopeful and genuinely moved by Ilona’s strength, endurance, and striving for faith and hope again at 93.
Those of us who know her well know that she is one of the strongest and most generous people on the planet. She is inspirational to all and so loving to her family and friends and the friends she makes family.
Also, I love this beautiful picture of Ilona taken at the time when so much of her heartbreak began, at the time of the war and at the loss of her mother.
Please leave a comment for Ilona for this beautiful and powerful story/memoir and the lovely picture of our dear Ilona at such a young age. Thanks for reading, Marcie
Marcie has expressed my sentiments so well. I wish I had more words to add to what she has written. What I do know it that the questions Ilona raises are those that people of sensitive hearts and minds have been asking forever. If anyone thinks they can answer with confidence they are a fool and don’t respect the depth of suffering and hope that is expressed by the one calling out. Since WWII (even in the aftermath of WWI) religious scholars have asked “How can one speak of God” in the aftermath of such horrendous suffering and loss. Some point to the fact that even Jesus on the eve of his death called out to his God “Why have you forsaken me.” It is an honest and deeply human and holy question. Martin Luther, the founder of Ilona’s faith tradition, Lutheran. once said. “Even if the world were to come to an end tomorrow, I would still plant a tree.” There is so much that we do not know. And yet, again and again good people decide to live, and love, and plant trees, and make beautiful meals, and make a special place in their lives for family and friends. What I do know is that Ilona’s wish to be a person with a good soul and a giving heart is more than evident in her beautiful life. If it is true that “God is Love” then through her tears and feelings of betrayal, Ilona has lived a life of love. Deeply and fully. And we have loved her in return.
Sharon, thank you for this beautiful and inspirational comment. It is so uplifting and reminds us of the balance of beauty & Hope & faith in the midst of suffering and loss. I was moved by Ilona
I think all of Ilona’s readers and friends will be heartbroken by this tale of how she lost her faith and all the sadness she has endured in her long and full life. However, I also think, like me, they will be hopeful and genuinely moved by Ilona’s strength, endurance, and striving for faith and hope again at 93.
Those of us who know her well know that she is one of the strongest and most generous people on the planet. She is inspirational to all and so loving to her family and friends and the friends she makes family.
Also, I love this beautiful picture of Ilona taken at the time when so much of her heartbreak began, at the time of the war and at the loss of her mother.
Please leave a comment for Ilona for this beautiful and powerful story/memoir and the lovely picture of our dear Ilona at such a young age. Thanks for reading, Marcie
Marcie has expressed my sentiments so well. I wish I had more words to add to what she has written. What I do know it that the questions Ilona raises are those that people of sensitive hearts and minds have been asking forever. If anyone thinks they can answer with confidence they are a fool and don’t respect the depth of suffering and hope that is expressed by the one calling out. Since WWII (even in the aftermath of WWI) religious scholars have asked “How can one speak of God” in the aftermath of such horrendous suffering and loss. Some point to the fact that even Jesus on the eve of his death called out to his God “Why have you forsaken me.” It is an honest and deeply human and holy question. Martin Luther, the founder of Ilona’s faith tradition, Lutheran. once said. “Even if the world were to come to an end tomorrow, I would still plant a tree.” There is so much that we do not know. And yet, again and again good people decide to live, and love, and plant trees, and make beautiful meals, and make a special place in their lives for family and friends. What I do know is that Ilona’s wish to be a person with a good soul and a giving heart is more than evident in her beautiful life. If it is true that “God is Love” then through her tears and feelings of betrayal, Ilona has lived a life of love. Deeply and fully. And we have loved her in return.
Sharon, thank you for this beautiful and inspirational comment. It is so uplifting and reminds us of the balance of beauty & Hope & faith in the midst of suffering and loss. I was moved by Ilona