Читать книгу Life Is a Gift - Esther Portalatin - Страница 4

As Skye was being driven to school that beautiful Monday morning, the wonderful spring air blew on her face and all she could think about was the changes they’ve been through in California. So many things had happened. She began to think aloud, “How I miss my old high school and all my friends, especially Casey. I hadn’t met anyone quite like her. I met this one girl, Sarah, who was pretty cool, but she had so many issues. I didn’t quite know how to help her, as she was always upset at one thing or another. I thought I should be nice because everyone else was plain old nasty to her. She was wealthy, yet so miserable. I didn’t know why I wanted to be her friend, but then I thought of how nice Casey treated me when no one wanted to be my friend, and so I thought that was a good enough reason. Was I feeling the same way Casey felt about me at first? Possibly! It was pretty crazy. I became a little more understanding of Sarah. I always prayed for her because I knew that my help alone wasn’t going to do much, but God, he was able to change her heart and her ways. Maybe she was someone God brought into my life to help, so I was willing to stand by her and be her friend.”

Continuing to think aloud, she thought, “Jal and Matt continued to live on the farm, and were doing exceptionally well. Jal’s business was booming and now she had many buyers for her clothing line. “Jal” clothing became well known throughout many countries.

Continuing to reminisce, the smile on Skye’s face radiated as she thought of how Matt’s attitude towards school changed. His professors encouraged him because they saw the potential he had to become a great attorney. Who thought this once insensitive, selfish and lazy young boy, would turn out to be an amazing, intelligent, and determined young man? Matt was indeed different.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how my dad, Michael, the new Director at California General Hospital, improved the quality of care for all patients. The passion he had for his work was evident. His leadership helped transform hospital policy. California General became a second home for the sick, especially for those who had no family. I began to think that when you have passion for what you do-the results are always positive. Hearing his heartfelt prayers for his patients was encouraging. My dad had an amazing quality all Christians should have, “Compassion.” I thank God for bringing him into our lives, especially mom’s life. He was strong in his faith and believed that God could do anything. It was evident that God had indeed given my dad a special heart and being a doctor was truly his calling.

Enjoying the air hitting her face, she closed her eyes and thought about her Mom, who had been through a lot in life. Because mom was very sensitive to others, as a result she found a new friend, Marisol. They met at Marcy department store. Marisol had been through a lot in life herself. Sometimes they sat and talked about their experiences, which made mom sad because it opened up all the thoughts of Shannon again. She remembered how Shannon suffered in her last days and how she really did want to live. Mom was ready to write her next book about Marisol’s life, but little did she know she would be writing about a tragic incident in our own family, an incident that would once again bring much pain and suffering. How would she be able to handle it? Many questions arose as she sat up late countless nights, praying and asking God to help her. Familiar feelings stirred up within her heart that caused her to remember all the pain of the past. Why did God allow so much to happen in her life? What had she done wrong? Mom didn’t have any answers, but neither did anyone else. So here we go again, a new chapter not only in mom’s life, but in our lives as well and I’m here to tell it.