Code Name: Lise

by Larry Loftis

Odette was not only the most highly decorated woman of World War II, she was the most highly decorated spy—male or female.

Odette heeded the instruction and, as Hemingway put it, became strong in the broken places.

Life sometimes plays it back—mostly the beautiful—lest one forget the blessings, fleeting though they are.

Without instruction, Peter realized, Father Paul was teaching and the first lesson was that the battle of faith required many scars before it was won.

He who has not eaten his bread in tears, He who has not sat up weeping upon his bed throughout the night of despair, He knows you not, Oh Heavenly Father.

At midnight came the air-raid siren’s song; I thought of you in silence and for long— how you are faring, how our lives once were, and how I wish you home this coming year. We wait till half past one, and hear at last the signal that the danger now is past; so danger—if the omen does not lie— of every kind shall gently pass you by. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer