His forehead furrows. “Light, no troubles, big, held up, like my mother hugged me.”
“Wonderful, thank you. Did anyone have another outcome? No? Try all the things you learned and pick your favorites. One last lesson. Lie down and put your hands on your middle. Breathe in and send the air to your stomach. It will go up as you fill it and down as you let the air out. Practice until you feel a big fat belly, then sit back up. How was that?”
They all get up and dance around. I wait, not wanting to restrain their fun. They settle in once more and I tell them, “Now you know many things you can do to be strong and feed your soul. Thank you all for being wonderful students.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
When I woke up the first thought I had was that I did no teaching since I told my story to the children, thirteen full moons ago. Nathan brought my sleep mat to the fresh air and I settled into the smoothness. This was not the life I expected to live, fighting for women. In the end our village women stood up for the children and me, but what if it never goes any further, if it was a waste of time? If my songs are not heard? Never bear fruit. If the children pay no attention to the things I tried to teach? If Rena never has the awakening I was privileged to? I pray each child will find a driving passion.
I drift off to a beautiful dream. I am walking with Doron and the donkey is behind. Holding hands, our strides are as matched as our harmonies. Whether it is the love and caring we share, or the sustenance of food and drink, the abundance of our life together surrounds and bathes us in contentment.
A song joins the picture in my head, but I cannot make it out. Is it one of mine? Am I sleeping or are the children here? I open my eyes to angelic voices and children sitting in front of me. There are more rows of people I do not know, and more behind them. Some are older. Are they the ones who sang? I feel as if I am in a dream and wonder why the chief is here. One of the women comes forward and takes my hand. I cannot get up.
“We are the grandparents and parents of the children who came to hear your teachings. We are here to honor you for the work you did.”
They value my efforts. Sandalphon would say they ate their leaves. “Thank you for being here.”
I thought those women did not take my words to heart. That the best song I wrote was not acceptable and I did not accomplish what I wanted. It was my failure and disappointment that the village women did not change even a dew drop.
The woman holding my hand continues. “On behalf of all who are here, thank you for your instruction of our children and grandchildren. By teaching them, you taught us. We heard the words of Abraham and Sarah and took them to heart. We are grateful.”
I smile. These women have changed. They came to let me know. Memories of the concerts I sang whirl through my head. The woman is crying and I wipe away her tears. It is difficult to speak. “Thank you,” I whisper. Doron teased that my words were spoken at the top of my voice. I wonder if he would laugh now.
“It is our honor,” she says.
“Sing another of my songs. Let me hear your beautiful voices.” She moves away.
Someone else takes my hand. It is the chief. “Thank you, Elisha, for your contributions to our village.”
I nod and take in the chief’s words. My visitors are singing. Their sound is glorious. It speaks of not just understanding the words, but of the lyrics living within them. The music surrounds me and like a warm covering wraps me in its serenity. I float on air.
My work is realized. Childhood dreams were not to be, but I received so much more. In this moment, I know in my bones there will always be another woman who will stand up and speak for those who cannot. Maybe not with song, but in their own way. I listen with my eyes closed. The harmony is so pure I am taken to higher realms.
I look up and a color of the rainbow swirls between the blues and whites of the clouds. It is purple and grows closer. It is Sandalphon. He is waiting for me. His purple color flashes across the sky. I am lifted into the blue near it. The last sound I hear is Doron. My love came back. He calls for me. Elisha. Elisha. Too late.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I could not have written this book without all of you. I send you my heartfelt thanks to:
My giving mentors Joyce Sweeney and Margetta Geerling who never stop giving.
My entire critique group for the valuable comments that made my story work.
Sonja Karlsen for the sharp eye that got me over the hard places.
Florence Ellman, my beta reader, who found the first flaws needing to be fixed.
Gail Ehrlich and Marcia lamel, who encouraged me to keep on going.
If I forgot anyone please forgive me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in New York City, Irene Kessler is a Jill of many trades. As a single mother of three, she was the Polaroid Camera Girl, sold jewelry, and held makeup parties to supplement her alimony. She moved on to sing minor roles at New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Teatro Principal in Barcelona, Spain. Irene received her master’s degree in psychology, moved to Florida, and became an eating disorder specialist at Glenbeigh Hospital. She completed her PhD in 1997 and went on to work at the Radar Institute and Renfrew Center. She was in private practice for over thirty years, during which time she also joined a local quartet that performed opera, operetta, and Broadway tunes at venues in Broward and Palm Beach counties. She was inspired to begin writing after attending a presentation by writer and teacher Joyce Sweeney.
SELECTED TITLES FROM SHE WRITES PRESS
She Writes Press is an independent publishing company founded to serve women writers everywhere. Visit us at www.shewritespress.com.
Elmina’s Fire by Linda Carleton. $16.95, 978-1-63152-190-4. A story of conflict over such issues as reincarnation and the nature of good and evil that are as relevant today as they were eight centuries ago, Elmina’s Fire offers a riveting window into a soul struggling for survival amid the conflict between the Cathars and the Catholic Church.
Dark Lady by Charlene Ball. $16.95, 978-1-63152-228-4. Emilia Bassano Lanyer—poor, beautiful, and intelligent, born to a family of Court musicians and secret Jews, lover to Shakespeare and mistress to an older nobleman—survives to become a published poet in an era when most women’s lives are rigidly circumscribed.
Faint Promise of Rain by Anjali Mitter Duva. $16.95, 978-1-938314-97-1. Adhira, a young girl born to a family of Hindu temple dancers, is raised to be dutiful—but ultimately, as the world around her changes, it is her own bold choice that will determine the fate of her family and of their tradition.
The Sweetness by Sande Boritz Berger. $16.95, 978-1-63152-907-8. A compelling and powerful story of two girls—cousins living on separate continents—whose strikingly different lives are forever changed when the Nazis invade Vilna, Lithuania.
Lum by Libby Ware. $16.95, 978-1-63152-003-7. In Depression-era Appalachia, an intersex woman without a home of her own plays the role of maiden aunt to her relatives—until an unexpected series of events gives her the opportunity to change her fate.
Eliza Waite by Ashley Sweeney. $16.95, 978-1-63152-058-7. When Eliza Waite chooses to leave a stagnant life in rural Washington State and join the masses traveling north to Alaska in 1898 during the tumultuous Klondike Gold Rush, she encounters challenges and successes in both business and love.
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