Chapter 5

 

It had never dawned on her that she had been schooled and how much she had learned during her mother’s illness. Before the cancer became severely debilitating, her mother would often spend time instructing Rachel on how to perform various household chores. Rachel didn’t mind that. but what she didn’t appreciate as much was the time her mother spent instructing her about religion. For Rachel, religion was not useful in everyday activities. She tended to believe her father’s approach to life—just be a good person and let people alone regarding their religious beliefs. She thought it was even a little cruel for her mother to say, as she often did, “even if I might leave someday, I will not be far away and gone forever, and we will be together in the end.” How was that going to help a little boy who’d lost his mom and who couldn’t see her?      

It was only six months after moving from the city to get cleaner air in the countryside and back to where her mother had been raised that Ben and Rachel’s mother passed away. One of the unexpected benefits of the move was getting to know an elderly couple who lived down the lane little. They were Francillo and Nora Stewart, and the sweet elderly lady took an immediate interest in Rachel, especially during the final days prior to her mother’s passing. Nora and her Francillo had lost a set of twins—a boy and a girl—shortly after their birth and she and her husband had then been unable to have any more children. Rachel became the daughter that Nora never had. The Stewarts were also Mormons, though poor health of late kept Brother Stewart from regular church attendance, and Nora often stayed home from branch meetings to tend to his needs.

When spring came Nora loved to work in her gardens. Each day walking home from school Rachel would pass by the Stewarts. Though Rachel usually needed to get home to tend to her chores, she and Nora found some time to spend together—planting or weeding in Nora’s vegetable garden, pruning her prized roses, and especially learning all of the homemaking skills that Nora knew so well. Rachel picked up a few secrets about laundry too, like adding a little bluing to the whites which would make them brighter. During the year following Rachel’s mom’s passing, they grew even closer. Sister Stewart was famous for her legendary apple pies. Since being the woman of the house fell to her, Rachel was more than appreciative to learn all about harvesting the different fruits and vegetables from the orchard and garden from her elderly neighbor.

Nora would keep an eye out for Rachel on her way home from school and would often wave for her to come in for some fresh baked cinnamon rolls or whatever treat she had baked that day. These occasions offered choice opportunities for the two of them to have their heart to heart womanly talks. Nora was a good listener and Rachel felt comfortable discussing her feelings about life now that her mother had passed. There was no one else in her life that she could open up the innermost secretes of her heart. Nora always listened intently and treated Rachel’s offerings with respect. Rachel liked being treated this way and no matter what the discussion was about her spirit was boosted like a burden had been lifted and there was a feeling of renewed strength and hope to face her most dreaded fears of doubt. Nora just had a way of being more concerned with others than herself and always being happy, which somehow fused into those around her. Rachel loved this quality as it reminded her of her mother and the way she would listen. Often there was little discussion on the part of Nora, but Rachel could feel the genuine love and concern which somehow seemed to be the healing balm for her troubled heart.

Nora understood Rachel’s skepticism and discouragement with regard to religion and her mother’s passing, so she was careful not to offer more than Rachel could handle. She took things slowly, waiting for Rachel to ask questions or bring up some point of doctrine before saying much about religion. Rachel had been baptized at age eight and been given the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the older woman hoped that her young friend would eventually feel and recognize its prompting to learn more about truth.

The bond between Nora and Rachel grew even closer when Nora’s husband, Francillo, died about two weeks ago on December 10th. During the holidays both were mourning the loss of someone very important to each of them. However Nora’s testimony and Rachel’s lack of testimony caused them to deal with their losses in different ways. Nora was grateful that they had been sealed in the temple for all time. They had traveled to Salt Lake City to receive the blessings that are only offered in the Temple. She had faith they would be together again forever. Rachel had no such assurance and was still frustrated at God for having taken her mother away. Nora felt sorry for Rachel and watched for opportunities to teach her. In the meantime, in spite of the differences in their ages, Rachel loved having such a kind woman for a friend and a mentor. Nora reminded her of her mother in her positive, uncomplaining view of life. Both women could enjoy and find good every day no matter if the day presented rain or sunshine. There was always a silver lining if one knew how to find it. Rachel wanted to know this secret to being happy no matter what was going on, just as her mother had been and who was in such pain and yet was happy most all of the time.