After the Story - Choices Like Rivers - Episode 39
After the Story - Choices Like Rivers - Episode 39
This podcast discusses each chapter of Choices Like Rivers and each episode is posted directly after the book episode. This corresponds to Chapter 14 Section 2.
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We see here that Donna was taught that God, Jesus was her anchor and to rely on him. Her parents taught her that. Her parents raised her to be optimistic and hopeful. It was being raised the way that she had that helped her to survive in captivity.
With each encounter with Buddy, our hearts are moved even more. Donna leans in to give back to Buddy some of the things he never had. To remake good memories in the places where bad ones lay.
That is how Donna was taught to love others. She had the love of Jesus inside her that drove her to be kind and loving. And she had compassion for her captor.
It gave her life to help him. It gave her life to do for him. It gave her life to bring him joy. Yes, it was for her, but the tree and decorations would never, could never bring her the joy that it brought her to see the joy it brought Buddy.
Buddy feared much from the interactions with his harsh father. Every little thing he felt was wrong caused him to fear repercussions. Each time Donna only responded with love and compassion.
Having no sense of money or finances, he spent nearly all he had on the simple supplies that Donna had requested. He loved his little captive family and he wanted more than anything to give her what she wanted and needed.
Donna was hit with his love for her when he brought the art supplies. But the realization that there was very little money left hit hard. She knew Molly Sue would need things that only money could buy as she grew. But that was shelved for another day. In her heart, she knew God would provide.
This may seem a silly time to discuss this, but art heals. In all the sadness of her life I believe the simple joy of creating Christmas ornaments brought a bit of healing and comfort to Donna. And, seeing the joy of Buddy creating brought even greater joy.
She was not just being a friend, she was also being a surrogate mother. His mother had loved him, but midst the horrible life she had undoubtedly endured, she had little time to sooth over the rough spots for Buddy and to teach him important soul lessons.
Buddy knew his mother loved him, but the acceptance that Donna offers is something that seems new to Buddy. Just like when the brand new crayon breaks, he is met with acceptance in a way he never has before.
Where we often fly off the handle over things like a broken crayon, maybe we can take a deep breath, pause, and let it be okay too.
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