by Amy Newmark
She drank her first coffee quickly, refilled her cup and sat down. From the pocket of her dress, she retrieved the postcard, now folded into a small square. She flattened it on the kitchen table and stroked it with her left hand while sipping her coffee. I sat down across from her, still too stunned to speak.
“Do you know how that postcard got all the way from here to Vienna?” she asked, looking me in the eyes for the first time.
I shook my head. I had thought about that and even asked my parents, but nobody could come up with an explanation.
“Right after World War II,” she continued, “your great-grandparents and I moved the pub to the building where it still is today. There were so many people involved in the new construction and the move that nobody was surprised that some things just vanished. But the one theft I could never forgive was that of the drawer in which my father kept all the postcards people from the village had sent to the pub. And this one,” she held her brother’s postcard up as if I hadn’t seen it before, “this one I could never forget. Just imagine, by the time we got it, we had already been told that he was dead.” A single tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She didn’t wipe it away.
“You know, I have been so worried about you getting involved with these communists. But now I understand that there has been a purpose to it. God sent you to recover this card for me.” Her tears now fell freely.
I didn’t know what to say, so I just held her hand for a while. But later that afternoon, I threw away all the communist cards and pamphlets I had collected. I was done with that.
We found August’s postcard in my grandmother’s purse, again folded into the small square when we went through her things after she died—more than fifteen years later. I reclaimed it and moved it to my wallet. It is still there.
Only recently did I realize that there was something else I took from this episode, something much more important than that old piece of cardboard: Whenever life throws me a curve, I give myself three days to sulk. Three days spent in bed, without showering or eating. Then I get up again and go on with my life. Just like my grandmother did.
~Olivia de Winter
It’s Never Too Late for Miracles
Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles.
~Mike Greenberg
Once upon a time, during those crazy years between the two World Wars, there arrived in England two South African students. The young man, Francis Nelson, was from Johannesburg while the girl, Constance Murrell, was from Port Elizabeth.
Young and eager, they embraced with enthusiasm their new life at college, where they met and fell in love. However, love has a way of manifesting itself. I arrived unplanned and unwanted. A marriage was hastily arranged but my parents decided to give me to an older and wiser family to foster. They returned to their carefree student life.
Three years later another unwanted baby arrived. My brother, Ian, was sent to an orphanage.
Just before I turned five my mother and foster family quarrelled, so my mother took me off to a small, private boarding school. However, my holidays were often spent at the orphanage with my brother so we bonded and grew close, depending on each other for love and companionship.
Those years remain a dim memory for me, with no understanding of quite why I was removed from my foster parents. All I remember about my family is that my father had vanished and I only saw my mother and brother occasionally. My physical needs were well catered for but I felt I was somehow responsible for myself. Alone.
When Ian turned five, a couple arrived from South Africa looking for a child to adopt. They went to the orphanage where the children were lined up for them to inspect. They chose Ian. He dearly wanted them to adopt me too, but although they searched everywhere they said that I was nowhere to be found. So they took Ian to South Africa without me.
Come September 1939 and war with Germany was declared. After a year of war my mother decided to return to South Africa and take me with her. We arrived home in Port Elizabeth in August 1940.
Both my parents died young carrying their secrets to the grave with them. I put my past behind me and went on with my life.
Fast-forward to the twenty-first century, the digital age and the Internet.
A friend of Ian’s named Annette decided to play sleuth and see if she could find me after hearing Ian’s story about his childhood. All she knew were my parents’ names and my mother’s maiden name: Murrell. She looked for me in England since that was where Ian believed I lived. After months of following up on hundreds of Nelsons with no results, Annette decided that just maybe I had returned home to South Africa. She perused the Castle Liner passenger lists where a record is kept of every passenger who ever sailed on their ships. Miraculously, she found my mother’s name and mine. In August 1940 we had left Southampton on the Capetown Castle, which was serving as a refugee ship bound for Port Elizabeth. She decided to contact the Africana Library in Port Elizabeth to see if they had any information on the Murrells. She e-mailed the head librarian.
Coincidentally, on that same day, Neville Murrell, a distant cousin of mine, was busy in the library doing research on our family’s genealogy. To add to this synchronistic event was the fact that the librarian, Carol, knew me personally. The timing was miraculous. She printed the e-mail and handed it to Neville.
What to do? Carol decided to phone me and invite me to tea at the library in order to meet Neville and discuss family research. Always keen to meet family, I complied with pleasure.
Meanwhile, my two guardian angels, Neville and Annette corresponded in secret until another divine intervention occurred. Annette’s husband John, an author, had a new book out that was being distributed in South Africa. John and Annette decided to fly over and spend time with their friend, my brother Ian, while publizicing the book. They planned that Ian and I should be told about each other on the same day. Timing was all-important.
One afternoon Neville visited me at home, bringing with him vast pages of information on our family history. After circling around distant relatives for a while he dropped the bombshell. My brother, Ian, was alive and well and living just a two-hour plane ride away.
I was stunned. Frozen with shock. My emotions were in turmoil. After all these years my brother was alive and here, so close. Dare I reach out? Would he want me in his life? I needed time to think.
Neville told me that Annette had spoken to Ian that same day. What did he think? Did he want to see me? The “what if’s” crept into my thoughts. Maybe I should just let the dreams remain. Reality might be a disappointment.
I waited. Two days went by. A short e-mail arrived from Ian. Tentatively I replied. I kept my emotions in check. This safe exchange went on for a few weeks until Providence fast-tracked events.
Ian’s son, Michael, who is a Master Mariner for Greenpeace, was given instructions to travel to South Africa to collect certain legal documents. He arrived, heard his father’s story and acted immediately. A couple of phone calls later and their flight to Port Elizabeth and accommodations were booked for the following weekend. I waited nervously.
The plane arrived early. My husband and I rushed to the arrival entrance. I saw two tall, long-limbed men stride through the arrivals hall and knew immediately it was my brother and his son.
Ian said nothing. He just swept me up and held me close. Time stopped for us as we stood in the middle of the crowds embracing each other.
The words would flow later, through the e-mails, phone calls and visits that fill our lives as we play “catch up.”
My brother and I, separated so young, were united after seventy-five years apart. Sometimes the synchronicity of events defies all logic. Mysterious helpers combined to create a miracle.
~Ann Hoffman
Meet Our Contributors
Meet Our Authors
Thank You
About Chicken Soup for the Soul
Meet Our Contributors
Dale Amend is a retired Air Force pilot, a well decorated Vietnam combat vetera
n. His life revolves around five “G”s: grandkids, gardening, golf, gladioli, and good fitness. The flowers are used for visiting at the church where he and his wife of six decades are active. He is humbled by God’s greatness and goodness. He is grateful each day for life.
Sharon Babineau is an advocate, author of The Girl Who Gave Her Wish Away, speaker, and founder of not-for-profit, Maddie’s Everlasting Wish. Recognized for her work at home and in Africa, Sharon is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and YWCA Women of Distinction 2013. Contact her at www.mindbreak.ca.
Cathy Baker is an award-winning poet who delights in observing God at work in the nuances of life and sharing those observations through writing, journaling, and blogging. She and her husband Brian live in South Carolina with their answer to the empty nest syndrome — a pampered pooch named Rupert.
Roopa Banerjee is a freelance writer and editor, mum of two feisty kids, an avid reader and a coffee addict. She loves living in a world filled with the joy of words. Roopa loves to procrastinate by filling the bird feeder and tweeting at @roopabanerjee. She believes in making each day a little nicer, a little happier.
Barbara Beaird was born and raised in New England where she developed a love of animals, music, photography and writing. She currently lives in Northwest Louisiana with two rescue dogs and five rescue cats.
Rob Berry is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield. He lives in Bakersfield with his wife and best friend, Amy.
Ghanshyam Singh Birla has dedicated his life to teaching the ancient science of Vedic Palmistry. He is founder of Montreal’s famous Birla Center, where he practices and teaches the college-level Palmistry Diploma Program. Ghanshyam has published two acclaimed palmistry books and is writing his autobiography. Visit birlacenter.com for more information.
Susan Blakeney is a writer of fiction for children and young adults with several novels on the go at various stages of development. Her works include historical fiction as well as speculative fiction/fantasy. Susan enjoys cooking and baking, and time with her “hairy boys” — Rudy and Barrett—and her supportive husband, Henry.
Trish Bonsall is a wife, mother and nanny. She is surrounded by her four sons, three daughters-in-law and three grandsons. Her life is a bit hectic but she is happiest when she is encircled with the loving chaos she calls life. Besides writing poetry and short stories, she enjoys cooking for family and friends, entertaining and reading.
Valaree Brough received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, with a dual minor in English and French, from Utah State University in 1971. She has four children and twelve grandchildren. Valaree enjoys writing, reading, playing the piano, teaching, and family history.
Judy Buch is the author of a nonfiction book, Mastering & Marketing Your Performance, two inspirational fiction short stories, “Wrapped in Love” and “Covered.” Her first mystery novel, Snapping Point, will be available mid-2015. Judy lives in South Carolina with her husband Ken. E-mail Judy at [email protected].
Maureen Buckley lives in Eugene, OR with her two dogs. Her greatest pleasures come from her family and friends. She has a blast exploring Eugene and the Northwest by foot, bike and kayak. She writes short stories, essays and poetry (which she reads aloud at a weekly poetry group), often focusing on women in transition.
Sally Willard Burbank practices medicine in Nashville. Her book, Patients I Will Never Forget, is a collection of hilarious and inspiring stories about her most memorable patients in twenty-five years. Visit her website at www.sallywillardburbank.com or read her blog at patientswewillneverforget.wordpress.com. E-mail her at [email protected].
Christy Caballero lives a couple of deer trails off the beaten path in Northwest Oregon. She has earned four Maxwell Awards from the Dog Writers Association of America, along with national awards from the National Federation of Press Women. Her focus now is on more personal writing.
Leona Campbell lives in Meridian, ID with her family and a Pug named Rocky. She has written and published her memoir with a twist on humor. Leona’s articles have been featured in numerous magazines and she’s written countless short stories for publication. Currently she’s a student at Life Bible College in Meridian, ID.
Barbara Canale has been published in thirteen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She is the author of Prayers, Papers, & Play: Devotions for Every College Student, and To Have and To Hold: A Daily Marriage Devotional. She has a new devotional for parents of teenagers available in the spring of 2015 from Liguori Publications.
Danny Carpenter is pastor of a nondenominational church in Texas. He loves golf, playing the ukulele, and anything to do with family trips and getaways! He and his wife Sandi proudly admit to spoiling their three grandchildren whom they cherish!
Mary Carroll-Hackett earned an MFA from Bennington College. She is the author of four poetry collections: The Real Politics of Lipstick, Animal Soul, If We Could Know Our Bones, and the forthcoming The Night I Heard Everything. She teaches writing at Longwood University and West Virginia Wesleyan, and is working on a memoir.
This is Eva Carter’s second story published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. Eva had several winning entries in Hallmark greeting cards contests. She enjoys photography, travelling and dining out with her husband of twenty-nine years, Larry. Squeaky, the cat, is an important member of their family. E-mail her at [email protected].
Pamela Chaconas graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in education. She was an elementary school teacher and later the education director for a symphony orchestra. Pam and her husband have two grown sons and two beautiful grandchildren. She enjoys travel, writing, and genealogy. E-mail her at [email protected].
A.B. Chesler is a writer, educator, mommy, and wife from sunny Southern California. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and finding happiness in the simple things. Feel free to contact her at [email protected] or follow her blog at http://thishouseoflove.net.
Lola Di Giulio De Maci contributes regularly to Chicken Soup for the Soul. She also enjoys writing children’s stories (several in the Los Angeles Times). Lola is a retired teacher with a Master of Arts degree in education and English. She writes from her loft overlooking the San Bernardino Mountains. E-mail her at [email protected].
Olivia de Winter received her MA degree in literature, history and communications from the University of Munich, Germany in 1994. She is a writer, blogger, translator and life coach. In her free time, she reads mysteries and trains for her first marathon. Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Olivia lives in Seattle, WA.
Shirley Dilley worked as a critical care nurse over twenty-six years after the child-rearing nest emptied. A late blooming passion for writing has her pushing the pencil rapidly to catch up with frontrunners. Most days are spent traveling with her husband, capturing thoughts and visions with pen and camera.
Beulah Dobson, a retired real estate agent, is quite active after her remarkable recovery from three broken vertebrae. She enjoys life by going shopping, savoring the outdoors, crocheting and visiting her friends and family.
Bob Dreizler is a Chartered Financial Consultant who specialized in green investing. He is also a writer, artist, and photgrapher. He has two adult children, Sonya and Ross, and a grandchild named Pax. In 1998 he published Tending Your Money Garden, a humorous money management book.
Laurie Carnright Edwards is a writer, substitute teacher, and ministry partner with her pastor husband Dale. In addition to Chicken Soup for the Soul, she has been published on Leadership Journal’s website. Laurie is the proud mom of two adult children and a graduate of Berkshire Christian College and Gordon-Conwell Seminary.
Diana Creel Elarde, BA, MA, teaches psychology for Maricopa Community Colleges. Her husband Vincent encourages her quest to become a successful writer. Amanda and Zdravko, her children, are her great sources of inspiration. She is a featured writer for Thrive Detroit. E-mail her at [email protected].
Nancy Engler lives in the A
rizona desert. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the New Mom’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers, The Ultimate Teacher, Boys’ Quest and Fun for Kidz magazines. In her spare time, Nancy paints, draws, and tends her drought-resistant garden. E-mail her at [email protected].
Steve Erwin is an award-winning journalist and wrote the New York Times bestseller, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Genocide with Immaculée Ilibagiza. He was an NYC correspondent for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and writer for People magazine. He’s written seven nonfiction books and is finishing his second novel.
Sunny Fader is a nonfiction author and writing coach, the latest iteration of a long career that has included television writing, documentary writing/field producing and teaching broadcast writing and screen writing at the University of Florida and Pepperdine University in California. Learn more at www.sunnyfader.com.
Donna Fawcett is a retired creative writing instructor for Fanshawe College in Ontario, Canada. Donna writes in the freelance magazine market and has two award-winning novels. Her final song on her debut CD won best song lyrics. Learn more at www.donnafawcett.com.
Claire Fullerton is the author of A Portal in Time and Dancing to an Irish Reel. She hails from Memphis, TN, and now lives in Malibu, CA with her husband, two German Shepherds, and one black cat.
Deborah Gatchel is a certified teacher with a heart for missions. She and her husband have four girls, whom they homeschool. She has worked with Grace Community Outreach since 2006. The Gatchels plan to move to Ghana in the near future to open a school and work with the GCO libraries.
James A. Gemmell spent most of his working life in industrial settings. Possibly as a result of this, he now spends as much time as possible outdoors—hiking, fishing, snowshoeing and walking continental camino routes. To date, he has racked up more than four thousand kilometers hiking in Spain and France.