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."

then I'm grateful, but I really can't join

worried. Sensing something was off, I gave her a concerned look, "You're not hiding something,

hate hiking. You know

Fanny sighed, "I've got a real aversion to

I nodded, "Okay, you head back. I'll go up

at the mountain,

touch. If anything happens, you can call for help," I reassured her, reaching out

her hands together in

high-five, I started

tough to navigate, but driven by Fanny's prayers, I persisted. Somehow, she had

this fiery feeling inside, like something had been

was challenging,

the church, I knelt and prayed, wishing for a world without suffering,

cleaning the

on

rows of vigil candles, I remembered Herschel lighting one for me Sure enough, there was a candle with my