Many of you have asked, but Grace has not made her decision yet. I spend much of my time with her, though I do not have any guidance to give her. It must be her choice. Another event, however, has called me away from her for a bit. It has come out that Mary and her friends are the authors of the website they call Strugglebus. Aaron used it as his final project for one of his classes, presenting it…
It is such a terrible shame when something that is supposed to be joyful becomes tainted by the shadows of this world. In other circumstances, I might have rejoiced to inform you of something that instead weighs down my heart. Grace has learned that she is pregnant. I was with her when she received confirmation of it—before the test came up positive, she did not want to believe. But now she is certain, and her heart is breaking all over…
Grace has not been feeling well—she took off from work yesterday. I stayed with her for a while, radiating comfort, and she seemed better in the afternoon. Pamela has gone on two dates with Lee since their conversation. They have been nice dates, but she is in no hurry to make the relationship serious. He is aware of this and has not been pushing her. His feelings for her are true, and he has no wish to hurt her any…
I spent the day today with Arthur, and it was a pleasant day. Arthur is a very thoughtful young man, with many ideas and dreams. He has a talent with computers—if he lived closer, I might try to connect him with Mary and her friends—but his real love is math and science. He cannot decide whether he wants to be a rocket scientist or a research biologist. Either would be a noble cause, I think. He has a girlfriend, Amy,…
It is official! Jonathan has been confirmed as a candidate for the open school board position this year. There was a great deal of work involved to even begin this work—I found it quite dizzying. Jonathan had to confirm his eligibility at town hall, submit to a background check, and collect signatures from those who support his candidacy. This last was as simple as leaving a paper on the counter of the store, where his customers could sign. As word…
Today I went to talk to Danit about Shannon. First I confessed my recent failings to her—how I built up resentment against Shannon, how I judged her for her faults without seeing her loneliness and her need. Then I asked to be removed from her case. Danit was astonished. “Asa’el, why do you wish to be removed when you have come to see Shannon’s worth?” “Because I cannot see that I am the best angel to help her,” I explained. …
Brid says that Harrington is making good progress. I cannot see it, but she says that a healer must have an eye to the long-term. “Little by little wellness comes back,” she says, “until one day, without realizing it, one has come a long way. One step at a time.” As for my part, I have spent several hours with Harrington and his family, and I believe I understand them fairly well now. The change is going to be a…
What a humbling night this has been. I really do not know what to say, except to tell you what happened. I went to check in on Shannon today, intending only to stay a few moments. Somewhat to my surprise, I found her in low spirits, and not regarding anything related to Thomas, either. She was sitting on her couch, staring at her phone, and there were tears in her eyes. As I watched, she touched the screen to pull…
I have never met anyone with the same capacity for anger as Shannon. For the past several days, she has been able to draw up a towering rage at the merest thought of Thomas. It would be impressive if it were not so frightening. I have tried to help her, because this anger does nothing to improve her life—indeed it only holds her back from doing her work and living her life. But as ever, my success has been limited…
Harrington was released from the hospital today. Brid and I were there with him and his family, of course. She was watching as he was wheeled out to his car, dampening his pain, strengthening his spirit. I was less active, for this was the best opportunity I have had yet to see the dynamic between him and his family. His wife, Isabella, and his son, Arthur, have visited him before, of course, but this is different. This is their attempt…