Mothers and Daughters: An Anthology
Page 20
The pilot gave the signal. The instructor nodded. Carrie’s heart slammed against her rib cage.
“Mother, are you sure you want to do this?” Carrie shouted above the buffeting wind, hearing the anxiety in her voice. For a moment, she hoped her mother would back out. It was a long, long way to the ground.
Bulky in her jump attire and colorful parachute, Carrie’s mother turned and cradled her daughter’s face in her wrinkled hands. A soft smile lit Frannie’s eyes as if she was looking at a child.
Maybe she was.
“Oh, baby,” she said. “Don’t be afraid. Just jump. Mama will hold your hand all the way down.”
Carrie drew in her mother’s love and courage like a breath of fresh air. She could do this. She wanted to. “I love you, Mom.”
Frannie winked. “I love you, too.”
And so, hand in hand, they took the leap, flying into the vast unknown together, secure in the knowledge that come what may, God would be with them, holding their hands, all the way down.
Dear Reader,
Mother’s Day has become a day of reflection for me. I tend to drag out the photo albums and leaf through, dripping a tear or two on the faded pages of my life. In memory, I relive those precious moments of the first tooth, the first step, and even of that first time one of my baby birds flew the nest, leaving behind a hole that would never be filled again. Yet, as painful as the loss, there’s a fulfillment there, too, in knowing that I gave my children wings, taught them to fly, and they soared into adulthood, confident and healthy.
Jacqueline Kennedy was once quoted as saying, “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.” That sums up my feelings toward motherhood, too. So when Mother’s Day arrives, along with my kids and their families, I say a heartfelt thanks to God because somehow, someway, I didn’t bungle the most significant job I’ve ever had.
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms everywhere. You are the most powerful, important people in the world.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Discuss the main characters in this story. Who was your favorite? Why?
Carrie is sometimes embarrassed by her mother. Do you think that’s typical of most mother-daughter relationships? Can you remember times when you were embarrassed by your own mother?
The Bible tells us to honor our father and mother. What does honor mean to you? Do you feel that Carrie honored her mother, even though they were so different? How?
Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening diagnosis. Compare the differences in the way Frannie and Carrie handled the news. Did you think both were realistic? Why or why not?
How did Fran’s beau, Ken, react to the news? Do you think this is a normal reaction? How did you feel about Ken after Frannie told him? Did your opinion change later on?
Have you or a loved one ever received a devastating doctor’s report? How did you feel? How did those around you react?
Did the situation drive you closer to or farther away from God? Share the outcome and any insights you might have gained.
Discuss the difference in Carrie’s view of God and Frannie’s. Which is most like your walk with the Lord? Did either woman’s journey deepen your relationship with God? How?
Carrie believes working within the church gives her brownie points with God. Does it? What is the role of “works” within the church? What does the book of James say about this?
At one point, Carrie considers withholding her church donations out of anger. Discuss this. Is it a common occurrence? Is it right or wrong? What does Scripture say along these lines?
Talk about Carrie’s secret sorrow concerning children. What was it? How does the Lord bring her full circle to fulfillment?
Discuss the symbolism of the airplane jump at the end of the book. How does it express Carrie’s new freedom and faith?
Were you satisfied with the ending? Did it seem realistic, given the situation?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3193-5
MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS
Copyright © 2009 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
THE HAIR RIBBONS
Copyright © 2001 by Deborah Pigg Bedford
“The Hair Ribbons” was originally published as part of THE STORY JAR by Multnomah © 2001
UNFORGETTABLE
Copyright © 2009 by Linda Goodnight
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