No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The smile slowly faded from Fanny's face. "Felicia, over the years, I've seen too much despair in women battling cancer, too many babies who never got the chance to see the world, too much of life's hellos and goodbyes. Every time I see it, it just breaks my heart. So, I

"Why on earth would you make wishes for everyone?" I asked, puzzled.

figured if I don't have to see that anymore, my days would be a whole lot brighter."

After saying this, Fanny took my hand. "So, in making wishes for everyone, I guess I'm also doing it for myself."

In that moment, as I looked at Fanny, she seemed almost otherworldly, radiating a kind of light.

She seemed oblivious to it and asked, "Are you still planning to go up? If not, a little prayer here wouldn't hurt. It's the thought that counts, right?"

"I'll go," I suddenly found myself saying more decisively than I'd felt before.

"Are you sure you're up for it? Why don't you just come back with me?" Fanny looked concerned.

I nodded, saying, "I'm sure."

Looking up at the church at the mountaintop, I said, "I'll go and make your wish again."

"Well, then I'm grateful, but

leave me behind, especially when she was worried. Sensing something was off, I gave her

arm. "What could possibly be wrong? I just hate hiking. You know

Fanny sighed, "I've got a real aversion

"Okay, you head back.

at the mountain, "But I'm worried about

If anything happens, you can call for help," I reassured

clasped her hands together in prayer, "May the

high-five, I started my

path, damaged by a recent storm, was tough to navigate, but driven by Fanny's prayers, I persisted. Somehow, she

was this fiery feeling inside,

challenging, but

for a world without

Mathew, who was cleaning the

on

enough, there was a candle with my name on it, and next to it, candles for