I put it to you, who are most astute judges of human frailty, that Meursault’s crime was not premeditated; for when a person is incapable of acting rationally and is victim to a perilously weak mind, he cannot in good faith plot a murder. In such a state, a man can only harm those around him by pure accident, and, in the ensuing bedlam, annihilate himself too. If he is not absolved of his crime and treated immediately, he is sure to commit suicide, and it is from this fate that I most wish to save him.
Petition for Permanent Residence - Compassionate and Humanitarian Grounds
Dear Preremoval Risk Assessment Officer,
I am writing this letter to inform you of my desire and intent to obtain permanent residence status. I have severed all ties with Georgia, my country of origin, and established a home in Canada. I work as a Human Resources Generalist with the Distresa Placement Agency, where I am a valued and respected employee. I am financially independent and able to provide for myself; I have been attending school and studying English throughout my time here, and I plan on enrolling in university and studying medicine.
When I first arrived in Canada, I lived for some time in a basement apartment while attending ESL classes. I soon obtained employment as a secretary, but unfortunately, I was let go within months. I received the call on a Friday, informing me that there was no need for me to return to work. The following Monday, I received another call, this time offering me a new job. I believe that this was simply a divine miracle and has strengthened my belief in God; He helps me in every difficult situation I find myself in. He turns people’s hearts to mine. Currently I can afford a one-bedroom apartment, and I do not rely on my parents for financial assistance – just the opposite: I want to help them.
In Georgia, I have nothing, and I do not recall with fondness the time I spent there. I had no close friends there, no one who could understand me or help me resolve the problems I so desperately wanted to solve. I had little money; my salary was just enough to cover rent for my apartment in the city. My parents would pass on food items from the village, but that was it. There was simply no future for me there …
Now I can take care of all my needs and help others who are in need, because, having gone through what they are going through, I understand them better. For a long time, I could not forgive those people who had caused me harm and pain. It is only here, with a strong belief in God, that I could finally forgive them, and come face to face with my problems. Though it was difficult, I forgave them, with Pastor Mstislav and me praying together and talking about what happened. I am very grateful for the time he spent with me, and continues to spend with me. He helps me so much and in so many ways. His sermons instruct me and uplift my spirit. He is like a father to me; I can come to him with any problem and he will always listen and offer helpful advice. I respect him very much. My life belongs to God, and I cannot see myself without my brothers and sisters, without Pastor Mstislav, without my church. I am bound to them, because they all played such a positive role in my life.
Here, in Canada, I began my life with a clean slate. Everything changed, I became a different person, and I live by God’s priorities now. Here, no one knows about my past life in Georgia, and I can put that painful period out of my mind forever. In Canada, everything is new, everything is better … I thank God for this opportunity to have everything I have now.
I feel very near recovery from the painful events that I endured in Georgia, and can be a productive member of Canadian society without fear or shame. I am capable of enjoying my life again, as I feel truly accepted and valued here. In Canada, I am surrounded and supported by the Pastor and church members, coworkers, friends, and teachers: all people who care about me and my well-being. I love this country and its people, and would like to make my future here, a future that includes a family of my own.
Nothing awaits me in Georgia. If I were to leave Canada, I would have nowhere to go, no work to support me, and no one to rely on. I would be a single woman with no prospects and no opportunities for a decent life.
Please take into consideration that I have established myself financially, culturally, and socially in Canada, and that I love this country. I know that my destiny is in your hands, so God bless you in making this decision!
Respectfully,
Nastasya Ulyanovna
Lucky Girl
Once upon a time, there was a young woman who lived too much, loved too much, and cared too much. Everything she did was done with energy and optimism, with youthful innocence and growing maturity. She took herself seriously, but not too seriously. Her days were spent surfing the digital seas on her computer and meeting with happy friends in real life. She was a diligent, nerdy student who always finished her university essays on time. Some of her friends thought her boring – that is, until something interesting happened to her. Suddenly, the world flipped upside down. Our heroine was inflamed with passion and rose to the highest mountain, dropped to the deepest ocean, and flew back and forth, between the skies and the waters. Nothing could stop her. She had the power. But she forgot that she was powerless. The warm season passed and the cold season found her dashed to pieces on the rocks at the foot of Lake Ontario. She lay there, broken, through the long, cold, lonely winter. One day, when there was a thaw on the land, the lighthouse at the other side of the lake began to blink a bright light. The young woman, still in pieces, stood up to look. The light shone in her face and made her smile. She lowered her gaze and looked at the water. It was blue, clear, softly waving. First one foot, then the second dipped into the lake. She started walking into it, and felt the waves buoy her up. Walking, walking, dipping, floating … And then she walked on the water. She did not fall. She did not fly. But walked with a sure step. Then she started running. Faster and faster she ran across the water, broken pieces jangling, towards the lighthouse. Towards the light. When she got close, she slowed down, then stopped. In the sand, at the base of the lighthouse, she stood looking up, and the light fell on her like a warm blanket. She turned into a beam of light and shot out into the universe as fast and as sure as E = mc2.
About the Author
Maya Sokolovski is a communications specialist based in Toronto, Canada.
Maya writes a lot. Reads a lot. Unfortunately, also edits a lot. In her spare time, she plays guitar, goes out dancing, and putters around at home.
This is her first book in what she hopes will be many more. Please leave a review. With enough encouragement, Maya will write more weirdly fantastic prose and verse for you, gentle readers.
Find out more about the author and her portfolio of work at http://mayasokolov.com/.
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