The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot

by Marianne Cronin

“Can it? Can religion ever really answer a question?” “Lenni, the Bible teaches us that Christ can guide you to the answer to every question.” “But can it answer an actual question? Honestly? Can you answer me a question without telling me that life is a mystery, or that everything is God’s plan, or that the answers I seek will come with time?” “Why don’t you tell me your question, and we will work together to see how God can help us find an answer?” I leaned back in the pew and it creaked. The echo reverberated around the room. “Why am I dying?”

“The answer I have, the only one I have,” he said, “is that you are dying because you are dying. Not because of God’s deciding to punish you and not because He is neglecting you, but simply because you are. It is a part of your story as much as you are.”

“Thank you for coming,” I said, though it came out muffled. “I do believe that’s what friends are for.”