November blessing

Mara lived with her older aunt Tilly and uncle Vern in a very small house just outside of town. Mara’s parents had passed away when she was only five years old. But being sixteen now, life seemed to be even tougher for her. She didn’t feel comfortable talking to her aunt and uncle about her problems and insecurities, so she believed that she was all alone in the world. Her aunt and uncle were good people but not always attentive to a young girls needs.

Mara also struggled with making new friends since her best friend Darcy suddenly passed away two years ago. Darcy’s sudden death was a shock to everyone in the community. And because Mara had already lost her parents, losing another who she loved left her completely heartbroken. Mara started to believe that maybe they all died because of her. She didn’t know why or how, but that was the way that her thinking was going.

One Friday afternoon in November, Mara’s school welcomed Ms. Virginia Rupert. She was a well known author of children’s books and had a love for kids and their well being. The daily classes ended early so that everyone could hear what Ms. Rupert had to say in the auditorium. The students could also meet her personally if they wanted afterwards. Mara sat alone at the top and the far left of the bleacher seats. She listened as Principle Willis announced Ms. Rupert’s name and occupation. As Ms. Rupert walked out onto the gym floor Mara was intrigued by her appearance. Mara was often picked on by her choice of clothing.

Ms. Rupert was a slender lady with long curly hair that bloomed bright red, and she sported a black top hat with a large pink flower attached to it. She wore a black knee length skirt and a blouse with large multi-colored flowers on it. Principle Willis shook her hand and then handed the microphone over to her.

“Thank you Principle Willis and thank you all for welcoming me to your beautiful school,” Ms. Rupert said.

Ms. Rupert’s smile was pleasing and her voice was soft but inviting. She first talked about what she did before she became an author of children’s books. Ms. Rupert said that after her big sister and mother died, as a child, she struggled with her own thoughts and feelings. She said that she didn’t have anyone else to help her understand her emotions.

She explained that as an adult, she learned about child psychology and studied it hard. When she got her degree in it and understood herself better, she was eager to help children with their emotional struggles. She admitted that it felt good to be able to help many children understand their emotions. She also stated that she even wrote a book about child psychology with hope that it might help someone. But Ms. Rupert also admitted that she still felt like something was missing.

“So, you know what I did next? I became a child again,” she said with a big smile.

Some of the students looked confused while others applauded her. Ms. Rupert told the students that no she didn’t become a child again physically but just a little mentally. She said that she remembered how happy she felt when she played games with her sister and friends.

“Even though my sister is no longer on this earth, I still occasionally hear her laughter. She laughed a lot when we played together,” Ms. Rupert said and smiled.

She went on to express that it’s important to make mature and responsible decisions in life but don’t forget to have some fun as well. She said that so many adults become too serious with their lives and futures that they forget how to have fun.

Ms. Rupert looked over at Principle Willis and smiled, “that means you too Mr. Willis.”

Many of the students laughed and Mara giggled as well. Mara saw something special and familiar in Ms. Rupert so she decided to meet her. After Ms. Rupert spent another half an hour talking about her journey into writing children’s books and why, she thanked the students and faculty for having her. Ms. Rupert smiled and bowed, and even did a silly hop and skip over to the table. Principle Willis took back the microphone and excused the students who were ready to leave for the day. He then had a couple of the teachers assist Ms. Rupert in the personal meet and greet. Mara had already made her way down the side of the bleachers when she heard Mrs. Blumgarden announce a single file line for the meet and greet.

Mara hurried over but still ended up being behind ten eager students. I hope that she stays long enough for me to meet her, Mara thought. About fifteen more students gathered behind Mara once they saw Ms. Rupert was handing out free autographed books.

“She’s a pretty cool lady,” one student said as he walked past the line that Mara stood in.

Mara looked ahead and saw Ms. Rupert laughing at something the student had said to her. Her laugh seemed so delightful and jolly. It was almost like she didn’t have a worry in the world. Mara felt that she needed to meet this lady and soon. But she patiently waited and moved when the line did. What felt like like hours to her, Mara was thankful that she was almost there. Johnathan, the student in front of her talked to Ms. Rupert about himself for maybe five minutes. Ms. Rupert knew that she needed to keep the line moving though so she thanked Johnathan for stopping by and handed him a signed copy of her book.

“Oh, okay, thank you ma’am,” he said and walked away.

“Hello young lady, what do I call you?” Ms. Rupert said.

“Hello Ms. Rupert, my name is Mara.”

“It’s nice to meet you Mara.”

“Thank you ma’am and likewise. I just want you to know that everything you said really inspired me. See I lost my my parents when I was five and my best friend two years ago. I’ve been struggling with all of this for quite some time and didn’t know what to do about it. But today I do,” Mara smiled at Ms. Rupert.

Ms. Rupert looked up from the book that she was signing and gazed into Mara’s eyes. It was almost like she was seeing a younger version of herself. A young lady holding onto too much uncontrollable pain.

“Mara, I would like to be your friend. It sounds like we have a lot in common. Would like to have me as a friend?” Ms. Rupert smiled.

“Sure Ms. Rupert,” Mara said.

Ms. Rupert smiled and then flipped to the back page of the children’s book. She wrote something else inside of it and then said, “when you finish reading a book, always go to the books last page. You never know what you might find back there. And thank you for your kind words today Mara.”

Mara took the book from Ms. Rupert and smiled, “thank you Ms. Rupert.”

Mara hurried over to the bleachers and sat down. She was eager to see what Ms. Rupert wrote on the back page. When she flipped to the back of the book, she read, “Dear Mara, please call me Virginia and call me anytime, ***-***-****. Your new friend.

Mara suddenly felt stronger because she knew that she wasn’t alone anymore. She now has a friend who has gone through the pain that she has been feeling. She hugged the book and then waved at Ms. Rupert when she looked in her direction. Virginia smiled and waved back at Mara.

Later that evening, Mara called Virginia and the two of them talked for an hour. Mara learned that Virginia’s husband also passed away two years ago. The feelings of pain and uncertainty that the two of them shared with each other created an ongoing bond. After a short time, Mara’s aunt and uncle saw a positive turn around in their niece and was delighted to invite Virginia into their lives as well. They would have weekly family dinners together and even spend some holidays together. Mara and Virginia’s relationship grew so well that it was as if they were loving sisters for years.

This goes to show that blessings come to us when we least expect them and in different ways. Have a blessed November everyone.