The
way things happen sometimes is truly miraculous. Being a Christian I don’t
believe in
coincidences.
When
my family and I moved next door to an elderly lady called Emily, little did I
know the profound effect she would have on my life.
If
you will bear with me…I would like to share my inspiration for this novel.
Emily
suffered with arthritis and badly swollen legs. She was in a lot of pain and pretty
much house bound. Overtime, as we got to know her and became friends, I would do
her shopping and a little bit of house cleaning.
In
her tiny front room on a deep windowsill, she had a lot of ornaments, which I
would wash for her. Among them was a pretty glass horse. It was coated with something
that changed colour according to the weather. Emily always reminded me not to
wash it, as she feared the coating would come off.
Being
mad about horses I was naturally attracted to this small ornament. Emily, aware
I liked it, would smile and say. ‘Who knows, one day it could be yours.’
Although she warned me not to bank on it, as she knew her estranged family
might not honour her wishes.
A
year or so later, I returned from shopping and found Emily had suffered a
massive stroke. She was rushed into hospital, and sadly passed away a few days
later. As predicted her family took everything. The small cottage was stripped
bare. However, amazingly, left all alone on the windowsill was the little glass
horse.
I
rushed into the cottage and retrieved it. Tears streamed down my face, as I
thanked God, and my friend Emily for the gift of the little horse. It really was
a miracle, as I know Emily had no contact with her family before she passed
away.
Now
when I hold the glass horse I think of Emily, and the miraculous way God
enabled me to receive what she wanted me to have.
The
little glass horse became the inspiration for this novel, which I dedicate to
Emily with gratitude and affection.
