Finding my Way Back: A Follow-up Story to “I Lost my Way”
I wrote a little story about how I lost my way during my very difficult times long ago, when I was young, a war raging and had terrifying effects on lives.
Trying now to find my way back after I did not believe for more than seventy years is the hardest task, I ever had to face during my lifetime of 96 years. I have a wonderful, dear friend, Karin who is aware of my struggles, and she dedicated herself to give me a helping hand by encouraging me, writing me e-mails with quotes and passages from the Bible. Karin gives me support and knows what happened to me and my dear sister Friedl during the difficult, heartbreaking and painful years in my, then young life.
Now, just today, something so endearing and touching happened to me. I have a lovely lady Janet, a neighbor here in our apartment building, I moved to, when I experienced my biggest loss, my beloved husband Hal. The lady, Janet, had a very tragic accident, a fall and she injured her leg, it was very severe, she needed surgery and after, a very long recovery and healing. Janet is doing fine now. During that time, I brought her a tea tray in the afternoon, something to spoil her and show her, I cared. On the tea tray I would leave one of my “short stories” which she enjoyed reading. I am a guest writer for a website and have been writing short stories for over three years now.
Today, when I brought Janet, my little friend, her tea tray, she graciously offered to lend me her Bible to read and enjoy the beautiful stories about Jesus, which I had missed all these years.
This is a fine and precious Bible. Bound in a beautiful soft, dark brown leather and gilded edges on the pages. Such a treasure. I will of course begin reading. Going back in my life, when I was growing up and Jesus was always present, always my companion, my confidant and my protector.
In my parent’s home, in my bedroom were window seats by every window, overlooking a romantic setting, a garden, beautifully manicured with a big fountain, a rose garden and benches to sit and enjoy all, large flowerpots with beautiful plants and white crushed rock on the walkways. That window seat was my refuge, my sanctuary growing up. My favorite times were there, reading good books and especially the Bible with wonderful stories of Jesus.
I wished with all my heart, growing up, that I would become a woman with tenderness, kindness, respect and a big heart like Jesus.
And if I had a big lapse and got lost for a large portion of my life, I am trying very hard now, to find my way back.
My dearest Ilona, what a tender, vulnerable and beautiful sharing you have made here. All I can say is this: you are a woman with tenderness, kindness, respect and a big heart. Completely! I hope you can trust this truth about you. Look back at your reflections and you will see this reality about who you are. Your life is a blessing to those whose lives you touch. I know my life is richer because of you. You make me want to be a better person. Thank you. I love you.
My heart soars as I read about Ilona’s journey, and how Janet lent her such a beautiful Bible to read. I have found Ilona to be tender, kind, respectful and big-hearted, just as she wished to be, and I am thrilled to be called her friend.
Dearest Ilona, you HAVE become “a woman with tenderness, kindness, respect, and a big heart like Jesus”. I know, as I have experienced all these gifts in you.