Honor and Glory: The Story of Hope Continues

“And the child was born, and as she grew it became apparent that this was a special child. Her golden hair reflected sunlight on sunny days, and during the gloom of winter she seemed to absorb the darkness, so that those in her proximity felt warmth where there was cold.

By the time she was eight she was sought by millions, all longing to be near her, to touch her, to bask in her peacefulness, and to hear her words. Every week, every Saturday, in a field of lavender, she met with those who had come from distant shores, and she answered their questions with patience, and with love.”

And Hope met a young girl named Mercy, and the two of them, with a little help from their parents, of course, adopted a ten year old boy named Pas, and the three children, with parents, settled in a lovely valley in Oregon and prepared to follow their hearts.

Which brings us to the story….of Honor….and Glory.

The twins played together on a cold, blustery day within the confines of the housing project, for to venture outside the courtyard was to invite danger. Honor was a quiet child, a reflective child, one prone to long moments of silence as he contemplated matters far too heavy for a twelve-year old. He was frail in stature, a spindly body on spindly legs. His unruly brown hair constantly blew across his face, leaving those who saw him to wonder if he ever really saw the world around him, but his sister, Glory, knew he was quite aware of his surroundings.

She was the exact opposite in temperament, a whirling dervish of activity, a runner, a jumper, and a celebrator of life. Her long, red hair framed a strong face, with high cheekbones, square jaw, and pixie nose. When she laughed the world laughed, and she laughed often, but she was dead serious when it came to protecting her brother, Honor.

“Honor, we need to go in now. It’s time for lunch, and we really must tell mother of our idea.”

She didn’t think he had heard her at first, so deep in thought he was, but finally he raised his head, shyly smiled at her, and followed her into Building C, Apartment 2. Their mother was in the kitchen preparing sandwiches when they entered and, as was her custom approximately twenty times each day, she gave them a humongous hug and declared to all who would listen that she had the brightest and most beautiful children on earth.

“And what have my two munchkins been doing today?” she asked, beaming that beam of love at them.

Honor looked at his sister, for it had always fallen upon her to be the spokesperson for their sibling partnership.

“Mother, we have decided it is time for our family to move to Oregon.”

“Excuse me? Oregon, you say? And why in the world would the three of us move three-thousand miles from home?”

“Honor and I wish to live with Hope, Mercy and Pas. We really cannot think of a better place to live, and we just know you will love it as well.”

Their mother placed the sandwiches on plates, poured a glass of milk for each of them, and then sat at the table staring at her children. It had not been easy, raising these two alone. Their father had run off shortly after they were born, and the past twelve years had been a back-breaking succession of part-time jobs, always staying one step ahead of the creditors. But God, how she loved them, her precious, serious little boy and her rambunctious daughter; she would do anything in the world for them, but Oregon? How in the world could they possibly make such a move? Why would they make such a move?

“Is that a fact, Glory? Well tell me, who are Hope, Mercy, and Pas, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Glory rose from the table, her arms waving, and she paced back and forth, her beautiful face animated enough for five children. “Well mother, they are just about the most important children in the world. Surely you have heard of them? Everyone is talking about them, on the news, on talk shows. Some people say they don’t exist, but others swear that they have seen the good deeds done by these children, and they say it has changed their lives by knowing them. They say that once you meet them that your life will never be the same, that you will find happiness far beyond anything you ever imagined. We must go to Oregon, Mother. I’m sure there is a place there for us.”

Her mother could see just how serious her daughter was about this suggested move. When Glory became this excited, nothing could stop her until she achieved her goal.

Her mother stood up from the table and held her daughter’s shoulders. “But Glory, why us? We can’t just pick up and move so far away. We know no one in Oregon. If these three children do exist, we can’t simply show up unannounced. Why would I leave my two jobs and risk everything on a trip that is totally illogical and very, very risky?”

At that moment Honor stood and grabbed the hands of his mother and sister. He smiled his elfin smile at his sister and then looked solemnly at his mother.

“Because, Mother, we are needed.”

Their car was packed with what few belongings they possessed. The route had been mapped, friends were bid farewell, and their meager savings rested in the purse that their mother carried.

“Children, for the life of me, I don’t know how we can make it. We barely have enough money for fuel and food. If our car breaks down during the trip, we will be stranded. Are you absolutely sure this is what we need to do?”

Glory kissed her mother on the cheek. “Mother, we have the spirit of Hope with us. We need nothing else. Hope will provide for us.”

The three got into the rusted 1997 Toyota Corolla and set out on the open road, heading due west for land’s unknown.

Toward the end of their first day, six-hundred miles from New Jersey, the engine gave a piercing shriek, the red warning lights came on, and the car drifted to a stop at the side of the interstate. Eighteen-wheelers blew by them, the clouds darkened, and snow began to fall. The mother, naturally worried sick, looked at her two children, who were smiling as they watched the snowflakes fall gently to the ground.

“Look, Mother,” Honor said. “Isn’t it beautiful?” And indeed it was, as the grim landscape took on the magical appearance of a white kingdom all around them. Glory patted her mother on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mother. All is well.”

And sure enough, a lone figure could be seen walking toward them on the side of the road. As the figure got nearer, it took on the appearance of a soldier, dressed in his parade finest, his medals gleaming as the white snow reflected off them. He motioned for them to roll down their windows.

“Looks like you’ve got a problem, ma’am. Why don’t you unlatch that hood and let me take a look.”

Within minutes he had the engine running again. The mother was overcome with relief. The children just smiled.

“How can I thank you enough, soldier? You saved us. We have little money. I can’t pay you for your kindness.”

“No need for that, ma’am. I’m glad to be of assistance. If you wouldn’t mind giving me a ride, it would be appreciated.”

“Where are you heading?”

“Oregon, ma’am.”

The mother was dumbstruck.

“Climb in,” was all she could manage to say.

So the four of them continued the trip west. The next day the storm had worsened as they approached the Mighty Mississippi and, as luck would have it, the car became stuck in a snowbank as whiteout conditions prevailed.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Mother,” Glory said. “Look, here comes help.” And sure enough, a Jeep pulled up behind them and two soldiers got out, surveyed the situation, and offered to give them a tow out of the deep snows. When the job was completed, the mother was in tears. “So much kindness. I don’t believe the luck we are having, but thank you so much.”

Honor grabbed his mother’s hand. “It’s not luck, Mother. We have Mercy with us on this trip.”

By the time the travelers had reached the Rocky Mountains, a small convoy was with them. Twenty-four soldiers in Jeeps and pickup trucks guided them westward, up the great foothills, through the Great Divide, and then down the westward slopes. A beautiful valley lay before them, the sun shining upon the evergreens, a mountain lake shimmering in the distance. Finally they came upon a homestead tucked in that valley.

The mother exited her car and the soldiers stood in a circle around her.

“I have no idea how I can thank you for protecting me and my children, and making sure we made it to Oregon safely. May God bless you all.”

The soldiers gave the little family a salute, turned their vehicles around, and left. The mother, Honor, and Glory, turned and saw, standing in the driveway, three people: A young boy about ten, a golden-haired girl, and an older young woman. The three, walking hand-in-hand, approached the little family. The little girl stepped forward.

“Welcome to our home. My name is Hope. This is my brother, Pas, and my sister, Mercy. We’ve been waiting for you. Honor and Glory are needed so that we can complete our mission. Now, you must be tired. Please, come to our home….your new home, and rest and eat.”

“Wait,” the mother said. “You act like you expected us, but we don’t know you and didn’t tell anyone that we were coming. How is that possible?”

Honor stepped forward and hugged his new family members, and then turned to face his mother.

“Mother, wherever Hope, Peace, and Mercy are found, Honor and Glory must be close by.”

To be continued……

2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)