“I know you’re not looking forward to it, Dearie,” Miss Harriet said “but what is it you dread so much?”
“I think it’s the pretense of being a happy family, together for the holiday, when I don’t even feel like I belong. It’s not home, it won’t feel like Thanksgiving, because all my real Thanksgivings were spent here. But my parents can’t see that, and I just feel awkward.”
“Have you prayed about it?”
“Yes. And I know that going to see them is what God wants me to do, but while that made the decision easier, it doesn’t make the trip any more appealing. To tell you the truth, I’m afraid. Not of my parents, of course. But I’m afraid that I won’t be or do or say the right things—that I’ll just make the rift worse.”
Miss Harriet dried her hands on her apron and reached over for Katherine’s.
“You don’t have to be perfect, Katherine. God says that He knows we are but dust. He knows our limitations and still chooses to work through us.
"I told you once that God gave you your parents for a reason, imperfect as they are. Well, He also gave your parents you for a reason, knowing full well what your imperfections would be. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about following God’s leading as best you can, and leaving the rest up to Him.
“Don’t focus on yourself, Dearie. That will only add another layer of bricks to the wall you’ve built between you and your parents. Focus on what God has said. Focus on truth, and let truth tear down the wall. Let them back into your heart, Katherine. You won’t have them forever, and we cannot have that “rest for our souls” until we have forgiven.”
* * *
Early the next morning, Katherine came down the stairs with a backpack slung over one shoulder. Miss Harriet met her at the bottom of the stairs, her keys in one hand and a small tin in the other.
“Is that all you’re taking?” she asked, as they walked to her car.
“Yes. It’s only one night at their house, and then travelling most of the next. Besides, It’ll just be me and my parents the whole time.”
“I suppose so. Packing light has never been my strong suit. I’m forever trying to shove in twice as much as I need, just in case. You should have seen me trying to wind my way through the airports with all my suitcases when I came over from England. It must have made quite a sight!”
Katherine laughed in spite of herself and clicked her seatbelt into place.
Miss Harriet tossed the tin into her lap, saying, “I thought you might need some breakfast on the way to the airport.”
“Thank you!” Katherine opened the tin and savored the comforting aroma which rose from the warm scones.
Miss Harriet switched on the headlights and the two drove through the darkness in silence for a while. As they neared the airport, Miss Harriet asked, “Did you rest well last night?”
“Yes, eventually. I thought about what you said, and prayed about it. You know, it had never occurred to me that I needed to forgive my parents. And I definitely hadn’t considered the possibility that they might need to forgive me. But as I prayed about it, I decided to try to talk to my parents while I’m there, instead of just shoving it all beneath the surface and pretending. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s what God wants me to do.”
Miss Harriet nodded.
They arrived at the airport and Miss Harriet got out of the car to say goodbye. Tears trickled down Katherine’s face as Miss Harriet wrapped her in a motherly embrace.
“Pray for me.” Katherine whispered, then picked up her backpack and turned to walk into the airport.
* * *
Miss Harriet often prayed while she drove or worked by herself in the kitchen of the little tearoom. But never had she pleaded so fervently, so constantly for Katherine as she did that day. She got back to the shop, mixed up an extra batch of scones, then went about all the everyday ritual of preparing to open the doors and welcome the customers who would soon arrive.
But throughout the day, Miss Harriet kept up a conversation with God. While her hands worked, her heart followed Katherine on her journey, marking the miles with the hours, and praying about what she might encounter at each step of the way.
* * *
As Katherine walked out of the airport, she felt stronger than ever before, but, when her parents suddenly appeared on the busy sidewalk in front of her, she had to fight the sudden urge to turn around and walk right back into the airport.
“Hi, Sweetheart!” her mom said as she rushed up to hug her. “Ed, take her backpack. You must be so tired after getting up so early to fly here. You’re gonna need a nap for sure!”
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” Katherine said, still a bit shocked to see them. “I… I wasn’t expecting you to pick me up. I could have taken a cab.”
“Oh, yes, but we wanted to surprise you. Ever since you called and told us you were coming, we’ve been so excited, and I just decided I couldn’t wait a minute longer to have you here.” Katherine’s mother led the way to their car. “You must be hungry… we can stop on the way back and get a bite to eat. Ed, what restaurants do we have around here?”
Katherine’s father scratched his head. “I think there’s a nice place just across the way, over there.”
“I guess we’ll try that one, then.” Katherine’s mother said merrily as she got into the passenger seat of the car.
Katherine opened her door and looked over at her dad. He popped the trunk open, swung her backpack in, then grinned at her and winked. “We sure are glad you’re here, honey.” he said, warmly, and something sprang up inside Katherine—something she hadn’t felt in a long, long time.
She smiled back, feeling that a bit of the wall had begun to crumble.
The restaurant was indeed a “nice place”, and Katherine smiled to herself as they entered. She couldn’t remember going to such a fancy restaurant with her parents before. As a child, the ice cream shop in Harborhaven had been about her family’s level of indulgence when it came to eating out.
