The Book of Lost Names

by Kristin Harmel

The book I last laid eyes on more than six decades ago. The book I believed had vanished forever. The book that meant everything to me.

Somewhere along the way, he got the mistaken idea that I am a simple person. What would he say if he knew the truth?

In this, I know I have failed him. I love him more than anyone on earth, but time has shown me that I made a mistake in letting him learn his priorities from his father while I lost myself in books. Where

was I when he needed to learn about courage and faith and bravery?

Hope was a dangerous thief, stealing her todays for a tomorrow that would never come.

God has a plan for you. For all of us.” Tatuś wiped her tears away. “We must always keep moving forward.”

“My point is that every parent wants what is best for his or her child. But we are all guilty of seeing things through the lens of our own lives. We forget sometimes that it is your life to live.”

Inside, the church was silent, but the familiar statue of Jesus on the cross was just where she remembered. “Hello there,” she whispered, and it felt like greeting an old friend.

But we aren’t defined by the names we carry or the religion we practice, or the nation whose flag flies over our heads. I know that now. We’re defined by who we are in our hearts, who we choose to be on this earth.”