Here is just one of the many stories of courage and faith, that you will find on this page. Please read it, then click the links below to find more stories.

Anne Marie pulled her sweater tighter. She should have worn her warm overcoat, she thought to herself. She continued walking down Lincoln Avenue heading towards St. Francis. Her daughter Sally had called right after Sally’s husband, Joseph, had left for work this morning; very excited and happy to share the news with her: Elizabeth got another shiny tooth!!

Sally and Joseph were married for nine years. It was a good marriage and Elizabeth made it complete It had been one of the happiest days when she heard that she was going to be a grandmother.

Little Elizabeth was born as a late Christmas gift on 26 December and was so beautiful that Anne Marie fell in love with her the first time she held her. She was so proud she wanted to shout it to the world. Sally and Joseph only lived a few blocks away so she was able to see Elizabeth every few days and they made sure to stop by as often as possible. Life couldn’t be better.

Tonight she was going to make a special celebration dinner and bake her famous pound cake. She never had any leftovers. William loved her cooking. He often teased her that he married her because of it. She needed to hurry though. For the roast to be done by five she needed to get it started soon. Turning the corner she remembered that he had asked her last night to pick up a pack of Backwoods Cigars. How she hated the smell but loved to see him happy.

She loved this neighborhood. Anne Marie stopped in front of the store. The sign reading Friedman’s Fine Tobacco and Cigars was faded and dangling in the breeze. One of the shades in the storefront window was drawn and badly faded. The glass was smudged on the inside as well as on the outside showing years of neglect. It had seen its better days. She walked towards the door ignoring the CLOSED sign and tried to open it. It wouldn’t budge. A small sigh escaped her and she told to nobody in particular. “Poor Mrs. Friedman. Must be sick again with the Flu” Several minutes passed. Anne Marie looked down the paved sidewalk lined with trees. . Shoppers curiously passed her and looked at this old frail woman wearing a clean, starched housedress and a bright yellow sweater that didn’t match; just standing there. Anne Marie was looking into the empty, dusty store window as if the answers were written there in the dust and trash left behind.

Officer Lang took a turn onto Lincoln Avenue. He had heard the call over the radio and he know where she was. It was easy to spot Anne Marie. He picked up his Radio and called his location into Dispatch and stopped next to the abandoned store. He got out of the cruiser and called out to Anne Marie. “Good afternoon Mrs. Spanter. Pretty cold for this time of the year, wouldn’t you say?” She turned around and smiled at him. He was as handsome as Williams’s younger brother, Sam, but not quite as tall. “Officer, can you help me. I have forgotten my purse and buy Friedman cigars?”

”Yes Ma’am. How about I give you a ride home?” She pulled her sweater closer. Maybe he was right. She could trust him. He seemed like a nice young man and she was pretty cold. He had opened the passenger door for her. All the sudden she did feel cold and tired. She wanted to get home.

The cruiser slowed down in front of the house. She didn’t recognize it but got out and walked behind after Officer Lang. A young woman came running down the steps and hugged her and fussed at her all in the same breath. She had eyes just like William.

Anne Marie felt confused. She wanted to go home. Why didn’t he take her home? She didn’t understand. Why had she trusted him? Where was she? What happened? Who was this strange woman?

She looked at her again and asked: “Who are you. Where am I” She looked at Officer Lang and raised her voice and told him not to leave her here.

She looked at the woman and said: “Where is William. Tell him Friedman is closed and I don’t have his cigars”. The woman and the Officer exchanged glances and she answered: “Grandma, it’s me, Elizabeth. Your granddaughter. This is your daughter Sally’s house” and showed her the picture of her mom holding her as a baby." Anne Marie stared at the photo.

“Mom and dad live in an apartment in Sandridge now. It’s okay if you don’t remember. I will help you. Grandma, I love you.”

1/18/04 Kind Soul

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