Copyright © 2014 by Esther Portalatin
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Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the Holy Bible, King James Version. KJV. Public Domain.
Additional scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. KJV. Public Domain.
First Edition
ISBN: 978-0-990945-72-7
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Printed in the United States of America
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Dedication
I dedicate this book to the following people:
To my two daughters, Jessica and Sarah, who always motivate and encourage me to write.
To my mom, Herminia Portalatin, whose prayers never cease for her children.
To my older brother Sammy Portalatin, whose faith has encouraged me even through his illness.
To Vera M. Colorafi, who was always there to hear my problems and always offered the best advice. Although, she’s physically gone, her memory will continue to live in my heart. I will never forget you. Till we meet in heaven.
To my dear friend, “BUD”, Elaine, who was my listening ear. Her encouraging words will forever live in my heart. Till we meet again dear friend.
To Dr. Evelyn Castro, my mentor. You never speak a negative word and always encourage me to do what I set my heart to do. You always believe I can do better than my best. Thank you.
Introduction
As Skye was being driven to school that beautiful Monday morning, the wonderful spring air blew on her face and all she could think about was the changes they’ve been through in California. So many things had happened. She began to think aloud, “How I miss my old high school and all my friends, especially Casey. I hadn’t met anyone quite like her. I met this one girl, Sarah, who was pretty cool, but she had so many issues. I didn’t quite know how to help her, as she was always upset at one thing or another. I thought I should be nice because everyone else was plain old nasty to her. She was wealthy, yet so miserable. I didn’t know why I wanted to be her friend, but then I thought of how nice Casey treated me when no one wanted to be my friend, and so I thought that was a good enough reason. Was I feeling the same way Casey felt about me at first? Possibly! It was pretty crazy. I became a little more understanding of Sarah. I always prayed for her because I knew that my help alone wasn’t going to do much, but God, he was able to change her heart and her ways. Maybe she was someone God brought into my life to help, so I was willing to stand by her and be her friend.”
Continuing to think aloud, she thought, “Jal and Matt continued to live on the farm, and were doing exceptionally well. Jal’s business was booming and now she had many buyers for her clothing line. “Jal” clothing became well known throughout many countries.
Continuing to reminisce, the smile on Skye’s face radiated as she thought of how Matt’s attitude towards school changed. His professors encouraged him because they saw the potential he had to become a great attorney. Who thought this once insensitive, selfish and lazy young boy, would turn out to be an amazing, intelligent, and determined young man? Matt was indeed different.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how my dad, Michael, the new Director at California General Hospital, improved the quality of care for all patients. The passion he had for his work was evident. His leadership helped transform hospital policy. California General became a second home for the sick, especially for those who had no family. I began to think that when you have passion for what you do-the results are always positive. Hearing his heartfelt prayers for his patients was encouraging. My dad had an amazing quality all Christians should have, “Compassion.” I thank God for bringing him into our lives, especially mom’s life. He was strong in his faith and believed that God could do anything. It was evident that God had indeed given my dad a special heart and being a doctor was truly his calling.
Enjoying the air hitting her face, she closed her eyes and thought about her Mom, who had been through a lot in life. Because mom was very sensitive to others, as a result she found a new friend, Marisol. They met at Marcy department store. Marisol had been through a lot in life herself. Sometimes they sat and talked about their experiences, which made mom sad because it opened up all the thoughts of Shannon again. She remembered how Shannon suffered in her last days and how she really did want to live. Mom was ready to write her next book about Marisol’s life, but little did she know she would be writing about a tragic incident in our own family, an incident that would once again bring much pain and suffering. How would she be able to handle it? Many questions arose as she sat up late countless nights, praying and asking God to help her. Familiar feelings stirred up within her heart that caused her to remember all the pain of the past. Why did God allow so much to happen in her life? What had she done wrong? Mom didn’t have any answers, but neither did anyone else. So here we go again, a new chapter not only in mom’s life, but in our lives as well and I’m here to tell it.
Chapter 1
Unexpected Friend
Part 1
It was a beautiful day in California, where we now lived. Mom got inspired to go shopping, something we had gotten used to. She forced me to go, although she knew shopping wasn’t my thing. While looking through the pants rack, we heard a young woman speaking hysterically on her cell phone. Mom approached her to make sure she was alright- and boom, the woman let out all her frustration, her anger and her worries. Not wanting to get involved, I had no choice but to hear the entire conversation. I predicted shopping was not going to happen that day. This is what occurred: mom asked, “Is everything alright?” “No, it’s not. Why do I pay the doctors to help me? Why do I keep thinking I’m going to be alright? Why am I so dense?” In a quiet voice mom responded, “Um, I don’t know, but I’ll listen.” I was now sure that it was the end of our shopping spree, but perhaps the beginning of a new friendship for mom. I stayed to listen to everything, although I was hoping to have an opportunity to leave. While mom continued to listen to the woman’s dilemma, I got restless, but didn’t want the woman to notice. I heard her frantically say, “I found out two years ago. The doctor told me if I had chemo, everything would be okay. I’ve been in and out of the hospital. Everything was fine for a while, now the oncologist called me and told me I have Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I know there’s no cure. I know I’m doomed.” Lillian couldn’t help but reminisce about Shannon. She couldn’t help but think about how her sister suffered and could not imagine having to deal with helping someone with cancer again. She silently asked, “Why does God always do this to me? Why do I always have to be confronted with some kind of tragedy? Why couldn’t I just mind my business?” As reality set in, she remembered her husband, Michael, was the director at California General and offered to bring her there. “I’m sorry; I didn’t quite get your name.” Marisol, Marisol Gines is my name. Yours is?” “I’m Lillian Cunnings Harrington.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry to have let out all my problems, but I couldn’t keep it inside me anymore.” “That’s alright. I’m not sure what hospital you were