fbpx
Politics Foreign Affairs Culture Fellows Program

9/15

It was two years ago today. From The Little Way Of Ruthie Leming: The Suburban came to an abrupt stop next to where Tim stood, trying to summon the courage to speak the awful truth on the worst day of these children’s lives. Claire and Rebekah climbed out of the Suburban. Time took a knee. […]

photo

It was two years ago today. From The Little Way Of Ruthie Leming:

The Suburban came to an abrupt stop next to where Tim stood, trying to summon the courage to speak the awful truth on the worst day of these children’s lives. Claire and Rebekah climbed out of the Suburban. Time took a knee. Claire stood in front of him. Bekah stood by Laura.

“Where’s Mama?” Claire asked.

“I’m so sorry, my sweet girls,” said Tim. “Mama has died.”

The girls were in shock. They had not imagined, they could not have imagined, that this was coming. Ruthie had protected them from the thought, reckoning there would be time to make them ready. Bekah wept in Laura’s arms. Claire collapsed into Abby.

“What am I going to do without a mama?” Claire said. “I can’t be without a mama.”

“I know,” said Tim.

Thank you everyone for your prayers for Ruthie and her family, and your kind words.

UPDATE: This came in the morning e-mail:

Thought you might be interested to know that on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur, yesterday, Rabbi Neil Kurshan, Huntington (New York) Jewish Center, gave a powerful, moving sermon themed around your book and your, your sister’s, and your family’s story. If I were you, I would try to obtain a copy. You will be proud and honored.

This leaves me speechless. I haven’t seen the sermon, of course, but the news that it was delivered humbles me beyond words, and fills my heart with gratitude to Rabbi Kurshan. I am about to phone my parents to tell them the news. It will be such a comfort to them on this sad and heavy day.

UPDATE.2: This came on Saturday night from an Orthodox priest out West:

[A]s I go to the altar tomorrow to celebrate the Feast, I will remember you in my prayers, and on Sunday I will pray for your dear sister, Ruthie, by name on the anniversary of her repose.

My dear wife has been reading your book to me out loud each night before bed, and I want you to know how moving it is been to us. I’m sure you hear that from many, but I still wanted to let you know myself. We are coming to the end of your book, yet I know it’s not the end of the story. May God, in His great mercy, continue to bring healing and reconciliation between you and Ruthie and your whole family. Be assured of my prayers for you all concerning this. May the Lord grant you your deepest heart’s desire.

People are so good.

Advertisement

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Subscribe for as little as $5/mo to start commenting on Rod’s blog.

Join Now