Yours Truly, Thomas

by Rachel Fordham

My father firmly believed that if we are here on this earth, then we still have work to do. He believed we have a purpose even when we cannot see it.

so I’ve opened my Bible. I grew up listening to verses. But now, as a man reading it not out of subjection but out of free will, I find there is more to it than I had believed.

I think God knows we need reminders from time to time. He wraps up a little blessing in a sound or a smell. A testament of his love. That smell, that memory is a gift for just you.”

Be true to yourself and have a loving heart and somehow it all will be made right.

taking help from a friend doesn’t make you weak. It only makes you stronger.”

I like how people are friends because of their shared goodness, not because of their shared status.

“Remember too that mistakes are part of the journey.”

“Dear girl, face whatever it is. You’ve been brave already. You’ve come here on your own. Only a brave soul would do that. Be brave again. Be brave until the end. You can’t go back and undo this. It’s one of the harsh realities of this life. If I could I’d go back and unsay every harsh word I’ve ever uttered. But I can’t—and you can’t change the past either. Look ahead.”

aww yes!

Tomorrow would be another day to seek out hope, purpose, and joy.

“Put a smile on her face. Make those green eyes sparkle. Be near her. Hold her hand when she’s awake. Soothe her when she coughs. Read to her. Take care of Honey. Do anything you like, but do it in a way that will make her smile and want to face each painful day.”

“I promise you, Penelope Ercanbeck, I will be attentive to you. If you need anything, I’ll be there. I’ll do anything. You will be my purpose.”

“And my joy. This day and always.”

I hope you’ll one day have a beautiful moment when it all makes sense. I hope you have a moment when you know the road you’ve walked was not a mistake but a route leading you to happiness despite the bumps along the way.

And now you’re sitting here looking at me with your green eyes and I see nothing but sweetness and goodness despite the pain you’ve endured. I don’t deserve it.”

Dear Penny, When you arrived in town, you brought sunshine with you. My life had been so dark and then there you were.

I find myself wanting to care for you always. If I could choose a course to lead, I’d choose one that included holding your hand forever.

I am not sure what led you to Azure Springs. But I believe God was in it. He must have been. There is no other way something so beautiful could be born of so much pain. And you and I both have walked our own tear-stained paths.

“There is no shame in kindness. There is no shame in thoughtfulness. Remember that. Anyone can be angry and forceful. Takes a humble man to rise above that.”

A woman who you can trust your past to is the type of woman you want to share your future with.

I love the man he is today. I love his tenderness. I love his gentle voice and his laughter. I love it when he holds my hand. I love that he left his city home in search of a better road. I love his toil for goodness. I love it all.

Love can be quiet and simple and beautiful all at the same time. Love can be many things. It can be born in grief and pain.

“I’ll come back. We’ll figure out our story together.”

Awwwwww

When I’m with you, the pain from before is not so piercing. Life has purpose and joy. Ours is an unusual story, but it’s ours. Can you feel it? How being together heals so many of the hurts from before?”

“Tomorrow the sun will rise again.” “That it will.” “I’ll rise with it.” Thomas looked to the place where the sun would come to defeat the night. “Every time it rises, I’ll rise with it.” “That, my friend, is one of the great secrets to a happy life. Face it. Whatever it is. Day after day. Face it and decide you won’t let it knock you down.

Love and home did not have to look the way she’d always imagined. They were born in joy and in sorrow.

“Pain, my love, is not always the enemy.”