From The Little Way Of Ruthie Leming:

The next morning, Friday, the girls skipped school and came down to see their mother in the hospital. Ruthie sat in a chair in the sunlight next to the window, talking cheerfully to her visitors. Claire sat next to Ruthie, nestled her head on her mother’s left shoulder, and gazed out the window as Ruthie spoke to the others.

The sunlight fell on Claire’s eyes, making them appear illuminated from within. She stared dreamily into the distance, a woozy half smile on her face. A wisp of her chestnut-brown hair dangled over her forehead. Claire appeared utterly lost in time, softly swooning, like a religious mystic rapt in the ecstasy of adoration. Ruthie didn’t notice Claire — she was busy conversing with her visitors — but it didn’t matter. Indeed the most striking thing about the image was that neither mother nor daughter saw each other. Claire simply felt her calming presence, and it was enough to help the young girl see past the pain and the terror that now besieged her family.

It was one of the most arresting icons of the spiritual power of a mother’s love that I have ever seen.

Hey New York, I’m in Manhattan tonight, talking about Ruthie and Little Way with the mighty Eric Metaxas at Socrates In The City. Ticket and event information here.

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