The Angelic Occurrence

by Henry K. Ripplinger

  Father shook his head and beamed as if struck by the sun, “There is nothing left to teach you! You have learned the art of living in two worlds at the same time; the world without and the world within—”

  “Yeah, only all too often I allow the world without to overshadow the world within.”

  “Yes, it’s a delicate balance to live in two worlds at the same time. But if you faithfully start out the day, as you say, by filling up on God’s peace and staying connected to it, this peace shines and flows into the world. In this way we can bring hope and love into a world that needs healing, and fulfill God’s commandment to love and serve Him and others. We become His co-workers to make the world as he intended.”

  Henry noticed tears well up in his mentor’s eyes. His followed closely behind.

  “How did we get into such a lofty philosophical discussion?” Henry said with a chuckle.

  “It’s good to discuss what is really important in life, and what we said isn’t so lofty, carrying out the holy saint’s prayer is very close to the ground. Is not showing kindness rather than anger or indifference more profitable for the heart and soul? Spreading joy more uplifting than gloom and sadness? ”

  “Isn’t it funny, Father, what we are discussing is so true and I am fully aware of it and what I should be doing and yet, I still seek recognition, approval of others, the desire to make more money, accumulate more.”

  After a moment of silence and holy reflection Father said, “It sometimes seems like we are going around in a circle. But, as I said, this is a lifelong process, and the fact that you recognize your weaknesses and acknowledge them means you can then turn them over to the Lord.

  “Henry, you are a child of God first and foremost. Each time we fall we stumble forward, sometimes a lot and sometimes a little. But each time we inch closer to who we are. Someday Henry you will be in complete harmony with who you are. Eventually, you will walk in ways that reflect completely your inheritance. Pray that day comes sooner rather than later. Through prayer, and releasing your will to Him, the Lord will guide and strengthen you, and gradually your days will be filled with more and more peace.”

  Father paused and then as if he received more words from heaven, he went on. “Our worth, our importance, our happiness we sadly believe, is equal to what we own. Our possessions, our rank in society, our belief that this will give us freedom and happiness is all an illusion one, unfortunately, that is so ingrained in us, that most of us go through our entire lives never realizing it. We live an illusionary life until we fully realize just what we have been talking about, that true happiness, joy, inner peace does not come from without, but from the wellspring of our Lord that is within all of us. We foster and nurture this interconnectedness through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Just like St. Francis instructs, this is what is really real. Put Him first, stay connected to His peace and all else will fall into place and assume its proper perspective and importance in life.”

  Father gazed at Henry intently as if trying to read his thoughts. Henry did not seem as attentive as before. A smile formed on Henry’s face, tainted with a tinge of embarrassment, almost apologetic. Father leaned closer and studied him even closer now.

  “Well, Father, after listening to your reproof about the accumulation of wealth and possessions, I feel guilty about telling you that I purchased another house.”

  Father raised his eyebrows, concern gathered in the corners of his eyes as he threw a cutting glance at his faltering protégé and after a deliberative moment he said with a voice that betrayed his agitation.

  “My, my, Henry, you have more than enough and looking after your business is so demanding of you. For what purpose?”

  It seemed like the entire previous discussion hit a brick wall. Father looked perturbed and not at all happy. Perhaps the only good thing behind this revelation was that it was a perfect example of what he had just chided Henry about.

  “Really, Father, my motive for this house is entirely different than my other purchases.”

  “But, how can they be different?” Father lamented, his voice rising slightly, carrying a scolding tone.

  “No, Father, I am serious. I never planned to buy any more properties. It was really intended for Jeremy. But he wasn’t interested and in the end, I decided to buy it; I couldn’t resist. It was the strangest purchase I ever made.

  “The lady that owned it suddenly became ill and went into the hospital and apparently never got out. She was forced to sell her home just as it was the day she walked out and went into the hospital. What is so strange about this, Father,” Henry said excitedly, “the purchase of the house included everything in it, lock stock and barrel. And what is even more bizarre, is that all the antique furniture, her taste in colour, the layout of the home is so appealing to me, it was almost as if I walked into my own home. As soon as I entered that house, Father, I felt at perfect peace, just as I used to when I walked into Mom’s home when she was alive!”

  Father gazed at Henry with one of his unreadable expressions, trying to stay neutral, non-judgmental and as non-interfering as possible.

  “And, you should see the antiques, Father. Every piece is incredibly rare, an unbelievable purchase.”

  Father nodded.

  “I know what you are thinking, Father, and in a way I can’t disagree, but to me, I didn’t just buy more things, but something which seems to touch the very core of my being. Everything about the house exudes such peace and aesthetic pleasure for me, it’s almost spiritual, Father. In a sense it seems to give me a respite from my business, a little getaway from it all. I know I would never want to renovate this house. I plan to leave it just as it is.”

  Father raised his shoulders, took in an almost imperceptible deep breath and slowly let it out as his shoulders gently settled back.

  It was his way of accepting the moment.

  He had said his piece and now it was up to Henry to be free within his decision. As resistance to all of Henry’s rationalizations faded, Father’s concern turned into a peaceful benevolent smile.

  “It’s hard to explain, Father, and even harder to understand that somehow the old lady who owned this house and I have some kind of connection beyond the coincidence of the furniture, similar taste and on and on. It’s almost like she is some kind of kindred spirit, a once-in-a-lifetime happening where a person, a complete stranger almost seems to be one’s other self! It’s like…an angelic occurrence!”

  Father leaned forward and in a voice that was calm and accepting said, “Henry I’ve always prayed for your success, not as the kind the world gives, but in achieving happiness and peace of mind. Perhaps, there is more to this purchase. Let us wait and see if it’s part of God’s plan for you.”

  Father’s comment seemed to support the strange wonderful feeling he had. Maybe this purchase had some divine intervention.

  “Well, enough of this, Father, I thought your talk at church this morning was very effective. I’m certain you will get a lot of volunteers. If you need my help in getting it all organized and started I will be very willing to give you a hand.”

  “Yes, thank you, Henry. I know I will need your help, just judging from the people that approached me after mass and offered their services, too. Perhaps the first thing we need to do is start up a committee and appoint a chairperson who will then appoint someone to screen all the volunteers and assign them to different positions that they are skilled for.”

  “Yeah, that will be a big job, but not an insurmountable one,” Henry said. “Getting key persons in place from the start will be very important to getting the project started off on the right foot.”

  “Well, I know the Lord will lead us every step of the way. I am speaking at the Blessed Sacrament Church next Sunday, and Holy Cross the following Sunday and after that—”

  “You sure don’t waste any time.”

  “I have no time to waste, and th
e needs of people are so great. Every time I visit one of the care homes, I come in contact with another who needs support and love. Just last week, I visited a lady Doris suggested to me. The lady has terminal cancer, the poor dear, but she exudes such life even though she is so sick and interestingly, Henry, her name is Jenny.”

  Henry raised his eyes just at the mention of the name.

  “Well anyway, Henry, the needs are so great, so many people to serve and attend to.”

  “Yes, Father, there are so many needs, so much suffering out there; I often wonder why the Lord allows it all.”

  “Now, Henry, it seems to me that we have discussed that somewhat and it’s getting too late to get into that again. I’d better be getting back to the care home; I need to have a nap before I visit a few people this afternoon.”

  Henry shook his head, in disbelief. Where did Father get the energy and drive from?

  From the Lord, who else?

  In the weeks which followed, Father toured all of the Catholic churches as well as other denominations. He was invited to the United Church, the Synagogue, and several Baptist churches. Within a month he had more volunteers than he knew what to do with. Henry helped establish a committee and in no time at all a small, but effective, publishing company was up and running. Unbelievably, on the fifth week, the first newsletter was printed and sent out to all the families and relatives on file at most of the care homes in the entire city. The results were immediate. Owners and directors of the various care homes had never seen such overwhelming attendance to their care homes in the week which followed.

  “Now we just have to keep this sort of response up. This will be our challenge in the weeks and months ahead,” said Father encouragingly to all the volunteers.

  The newsletter was light in spirit; full of fun, filled with coupons, jokes and funny and interesting anecdotes. The titles were so off the edge that one felt compelled to read it. For example, ‘Henry of Henry’s Café is giving away free food to seniors…Is he losing his mind?’ Or, ‘Why is John Burton at Mackenzie Jewelers serving customers in his gold shorts?’ Or, ‘Mrs. Schmidt has a real surprise for her son, Ron. He’ll never forget her birthday again!’

  And as Father had suggested in his talks, the newsletter contained special sections like, Tips from My Home to Yours, Chicken Soup From Grandma and Grandpa, Advice and Wisdom from the Heart. In a way it was like an Ann Landers section in which problems could be stated and then advice was given, tapping in on experienced advice and know-how. Ideas as to what to discuss and what to do when visiting. How to relate to people who cannot read, or are bedridden, what games to play with them and on and on.

  It was amazing to see the transformation in many of the seniors and in morale as a whole which improved so quickly and significantly. The care home directors and members of the newsletter began to realize what Father had seen all the time. The residents needed something to look forward to and to have purpose, the sense that they were still useful and contributing members of society.

  All residents were asked to participate in the newsletters by submitting stories and anecdotes. A buddy system was set up where a healthier, more able resident would become friend and assistant to one less able and help them along. The newsletter encouraged families not to forget to include their parents or aunts and uncles in care homes on outings to movies, theatre, or family dinners, or just even an evening out to visit. Residents were then encouraged to share their outing or experience. Awareness was definitely a key to making it all work, but a constant reminder like the newsletter to keep it all in the fore was absolutely essential to keep everything well-oiled and primed.

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Jeremy searched high and low for Stan’s strong box. He knew that Camilla must have found something in there that upset her immensely. The last few weeks had been terrible. It seemed like their marriage was falling apart. Pleas to discuss it, buying her flowers, offering to go out, nothing seemed to appease what was troubling her so deeply. If only he could find the metal box. Hopefully whatever she found was still there.

  He had just gone through the basement again, and had searched every nook and cranny. The box seemed to have vanished. If only she would talk to him about it. But every time he tried, she’d break down and cry.

  The only consolation was that lately Camilla had seemed to be settling down to being her old self. But Jeremy knew it was only an act to make him feel better. He knew his dear wife too well. It was more superficial that real. He could feel it all just simmering beneath the surface, ready to blow at any time.

  Jeremy suspected it was something to do with his father, but the thought that he was somehow involved, seemed not only remote but preposterous. He went over and over the conversation he’d had with his dad and there was nothing that tied him to his wife, through his teenage girlfriend, whatsoever. Dad did suggest that Camilla see someone in Social Services. But it was Jeremy who decided to speak to someone there. Perhaps they not only could help to clear this all up, but they could also offer him some advice and help as to how best deal with Camilla himself.

  Ironically, Camilla had already thought of the same thing, and had been in to Social Services just two days before. Irene Gilmer, a counselor with Social Services however, thought it best not to reveal to Jeremy, the confidentiality of his wife’s visit. Ms Gilmore suggested to Jeremy the same advice and information as she had to his wife.

  “It’s important for your wife to know all the facts surrounding her birth and her parents, and to know for certain that she was adopted. For her to be able to work through all of this she needs all of the information, and then and only then can the process begin to work through. This may involve searching for her birth parents…if in fact she was adopted, Ms. Gilmore hastily added. Although she already knew from Camilla that she was indeed adopted, she thought that the revelation should come from Camilla rather than from her.

  “What I can do Mr. Pederson is give you the phone number to Mrs. Blake in Ottawa. She works in the department of Social Services and deals with adoptions issues. I would suggest that you give the number to your wife to call. The sooner this issue is dealt with the better.

  “Yeah, it’s starting to creep into our marriage, big time. Camilla is so troubled by this and frankly, so am I.”

  “That’s very understandable. Like I said, the sooner your wife knows all the facts the better and then the healing and accepting part of this matter can begin for all concerned.

  Camilla read and re-read all the information that was in her father’s strong box. Unfortunately there was nothing in there that revealed who the father was for certain. There was no mention of the name “Peter,” only the mention of the name “Henry” in the conditions section. If it was a boy it must be named, Henry.

  At this point there was still hope that Marjorie or Jennifer, her mother, simply wanted to have the child named in memory of Henry and the love they had shared that summer, and it was nothing more than that. It was possible she had an affair with some other boy in Regina before she left, but according to Grandma Pederson, Jenny and Henry had been inseparable, which made the likelihood of another boy very remote. Plus, the way Henry still looked at her, told Camilla that theirs had been a very serious relationship indeed.

  So, the only other possibility, reasoned Camilla, was that her mother had met another boy in Ottawa very soon after arriving there, and had sex with him. It would have had to happen sometime in September as she was born on the 24 of May.

  But it seemed, from what little she knew, that it was highly unlikely that Jenny would do that. The scenario with Henry would make more sense. A summer romance and an ensuing love affair.

  She got the phone number and the lady’s name to call in Ottawa from her friend Irene Gilmer, and bless his dear heart, so did Jeremy. He went to see Irene a few days after she did. He was so concerned. He just wanted to help.

  “I feel so badly to put him th
rough all this,” Camilla lamented.

  Camilla, like Irene, knew that it was best to get all the information out as soon as possible and deal with whatever they find out in an open and honest manner. Camilla was going to call Mrs. Blake but what could she possibly tell her beyond the information she already had? Maybe they would have the name of the father, but more than likely the father’s name would be confidential and not disclosed to the adoptive parents.

  However, there was still one person to whom she could go to in confidence first before following up with the agency in Ottawa…Father Engelmann. He had been with the Pederson family right from the start. I don’t think there is anything that Father doesn’t know about Henry, thought Camilla. Surely, Father would know the name of Henry’s teenage sweetheart.

  “Hello, Father, this is Camilla, I was wondering if you had some time to see me this afternoon. I can get away from work at three thirty. It will only take ten or fifteen minutes of your time?

  “Yes, of course, Camilla. I am visiting a few people at the Santa Maria this afternoon but I can be back at the care home by that time.”

  “Thank you so much, Father. I will see you then.”

  “Hi Father, I hope I’m not interrupting your busy schedule.”

  “Not at all. Please, come in, let us go into the sun room, no one is in there right now. I love the warmth the room has at this time of day.”

  “I love the sun, too, Father.”

  Camilla followed Father and then sat down at two comfortable arm chairs beside one another.

  “So, Camilla, you are a busy mother and still have time to help out counseling troubled girls.”

  “Yes, the pregnancy rate is increasing and so too are the problems it brings. Many keep the child they are carrying but many struggle with the decision to give up their baby for adoption and others choose abortion.”

  Father shook his head and said sorrowfully, “Ah, yes, for a young girl or a lady of any age to be faced with the decision to end the life of the infant they are carrying is a very deplorable situation to be in.”