To my dear friend,

I can’t believe I was born only 40 years after the end of WWII! I can’t believe segregation in the US was only fully accomplished in the 1960’s and 70’s!

When I listen or read the stories of WWII heroes, like Corrie Ten Boom or St. Maria of Paris, I feel so sad because I feel like I’m being warned that something similar is going to happen in our lifetime.

I had a dream a while ago that I was going home with a group of friends. It wasn’t any friends I actually know now and the home wasn’t our current home or any I had ever lived in. We were very cheerful and in good spirits, but I was packing a bag of necessities for me and the kids because I knew (in the dream) that I was never coming back home. As I was choosing what to take for me and the kids, I was wondering if I should pack for my parents or if they’d make it in time to pack for themselves. Throughout this whole dream, I was playful, having fun and even laughing along with these friends I was with (like honest laughter, not forced or fake).

I try to forget that dream but when I read stories of social activists, I remember it again and, to be honest, I always think about you. If that were ever to happen, if I am with my family then we will pray and be ok as long as we’ve together. But how will I let you know what’s going on?

I already see the media swaying people so much! During WWII, the nazis were able to persuade many people to believe them, that there was actually a superior race… I thought that occurred in ancient history, not about 50 years before I was born! And after that horrible war, where many black Americans fought bravely along with their white brothers only to come home to segregation?!? Some of the biographies I’m reading are people from even earlier European history and one thing is common: the general public is very easy to sway towards bad and the people who stand up for something different and good are only appreciated after much struggle and opposition. A lot of them were only recognized at the end of their lives or after death.

I hope my dream is not prophetic. I don’t know where my life will lead me, but I trust my God to give me the strength and understanding I need in every situation.

I pray that you would realize how much God loves you and is not in heaven punishing you for any decision He doesn’t like. He is walking beside you, waiting for you to face your misunderstandings of Him and meet Him and know Him for who He really is. Yes, He is holy and He is a judge. But He is equally love and full of mercy.

I pray that if I am ever separated from you in this life, that my life will only point you towards God and that you will find Him in your own way and time. I pray that we would be reunited, not just as dear friends, but as sisters in Christ if that transformation hasn’t already happened.

Love, Cheryl