“My God, what an amazing life she lived.” He said in a whisper. Dr. Taylor handed him a tissue and he blew his nose. She joined him, shaking her head.
“I’ve never in my life, imagined something so extraordinary. The life your soul has led, I just can’t put it into words.”
“I think I understand why I had some of the fears that I had.” Cory said, looking at the doctor.
“I’ll have to say it again, what an extraordinary woman, Mary brought forth an incredible story of her life and insights into life as a slave.” Dr. Taylor said. She reached over and turned off the recording app.
“Where do I go from here?” Cory asked.
“I’d say where ever you wish. We’ll continue with sessions, but I’d like you to process all that we’ve learned. I believe the things that had affected Mary the most translated through time to your life now.”
Cory spent the next few days thinking about all he had learned about Mary, her life and himself. Could he really have been Mary? She was so strong and she was so familiar to him. He looked into the mirror, thinking about her. He would have to search for her people. He was sure they would not believe his story, but he hoped that he could find them. Know them.
As the months passed, Cory found himself at peace, no longer suffering from the crippling anxieties that had plagued him. Whenever he felt anxious, he simply thought of Mary and her amazing life and her amazing family. It also gave him peace to know that there was something beyond this life. That even in death, it wasn’t the end. He had started the search for her family, but stopped. That had been Mary’s life, not his own. He needed to look toward his own future. His own life. He was grateful for the experience of getting to know Mary, she had been a remarkable woman.
One day he knew he would find his own wife and have his own children. Getting to know Mary and all her hardships told him that he was stronger than he knew. She had lived in a time of intolerance but Mary had kept her sweetness. She that wanted more for herself and her children and she had made it happen. Through so many obstacles. Cory thought that if Mary could survive and thrive during that horrendous era, then he could survive the here and now.
Cory stood in the humid sunshine on the beach in Charleston and turned his face up to the sun. A slow smile crossed his face.
“Thank you, Mary.”
