Authors Observation
Everyone has a calling that only their
heart hears. For some it is to forge into the unknown. Others know early on
that hearth and home is their portion. Still some, like Naomi, never hear what
their heart is conveying because altruistic to the core of their being,
without knowing it, they seek a higher call. Once they have determined what
they are willing to sacrifice all for, like the Salmon that swims upstream to
spawn, they never give their lot a second thought as long as they can
accomplish the illusive goal that their heart is fixated upon.
Reflection
What is your hearts desire?
How will you accomplish your goal?
Who or what might stand in your way?
What would happen if_______________?
The Text
When their session ended, Naomi
headed to the kitchen to wash the morning dishes. I
never knew she could be so kind. She glanced
at the clock and realized that her tía had
spent an inordinate amount of time explaining the Bill of Rights.
“But, Tía,” Naomi remembered
asking, “why do I need to know such things?”
“It is one of the foundational
documents of this country. It is important that you know what you have so you
do what is necessary to keep this country the free place it was intended to
be.” Naomi thought about how she had come to this place and silently admitted, Freedom
is hard won and easily lost.
The outside world beckoned as it
always had. Instead of pretending that she did not notice, this time Naomi
allowed her desire for freedom to engulf her. Her feelings of claustrophobia
surfaced and her situation seemed to hem her in on all sides. She struggled to
fulfill her obligation—for fulfill it she would because it was her desire to
leave knowing that she had done all she had promised. Tía kept her word and
taught Naomi a little about the world outside. Yet, it did not occur to the young
woman that her eminent departure was on Tía’s mind until one evening when she
stayed out late, entered the casa and
said, “Naomi, I have something for you. Come and see.” She pointed to a
baby-blue valise.
Naomi hurried toward her.
She smiled. “I have a new suitcase for you!”
She smiled. “I have a new suitcase for you!”
“But, Tía, I have a suitcase.”
“That is old and worn. You are
to begin a new life in a new country. I intend to send you off with a new
suitcase. I want you to put it in your room. You can look at it and plan. Plans
are what take us from what is to what is yet to be. Without a plan, nothing
happens. Always remember that.”
“Gracias.”
Naomi took Tía’s gift and turned toward her room.
“I … I … wish you would … stay
with me.” Tía’s voice was so unfamiliar in its hesitancy that it did not sound
like the old woman at all. Naomi stopped but did not answer, nor did she act on
her urge to run to her tía and
throw her arms around her. “But … I know you must … go.”
Naomi turned and looked at the
old woman. “Why did you treat me differently than the others?”
“Because
… you are different.”
Naomi nodded. “Tía, being here
has been the greatest blessing and yet the most difficult thing I have ever had
to do. I thank you for all you have done for me and for what you taught me. But
I must go.”
“I thought so.” The old woman
fought to regain her composure, and forced a smiled, though it was tremulous at
best. “Of course you must go … after all … you have plans. Soon you must be on
your way.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
She turned toward her room and counseled herself, This
is not the time for false hopes—for my family’s sake, I must forge ahead. She
entered her room, put the suitcase down, pulled out a sheet of stationary from
her side table, and sat on her bed. The blank page looked intimidating. After
all this time, she was surprised to find herself wondering how to begin her
letter. She wanted to let her tío know
that she would come to him soon. Yet she fell asleep looking at the piece of
paper. Her subconscious mind seemed to dictate,
Dear Tío,
My time of servitude and hiding
is ending. I look forward to meeting you in the light of day and enjoying the freedom
of this country where we do not need to fear being who we are.
Your sobrina,
Naomi
No,
she told herself, use English. Sign it, your niece, Naomi!
Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and
vermin destroy, and where thieves break in
and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves
do not break in and steal.”
To order your copy or Kindle of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing visit www.Amazon.com
0 Response to "Almost Free, by Paula Rose Michelson"
Post a Comment