At the age of twelve I suffered from rheumatic fever and complications. My early childhood had not been an altogether happy one, and acute differences occurred between my sister and me. My mother had heard of Christian Science, but she did not turn to it for my healing.
My condition grew worse, and after ten months I was unable to speak, and my only nourishment was milk fed to me in drops. One night the situation seemed alarming, and the doctor told my mother that there was no hope of my living until morning. At this dark hour a Christian Science practitioner was visiting friends nearby, and although the hour was late, at the request of our friends she decided to call to see us. Help in Christian Science was asked for, and that night, as she sat by my bed lovingly reading to me from the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, I heard for the first time the truths of God and man. As the warmth of God's love and tender care for all His children permeated my consciousness, the response was instant. The doctors then said that I would always be an invalid, due to a heart condition, and that it was not likely that I would live very long. But the healing continued and was finally complete and permanent, leaving no trace of any discord.
The Christian Science Sunday School gave me a better understanding of love. I learned that in order to love God I must express love in thought and deed. The discord between my sister and me unfortunately continued, and a silence grew between us. Later, whilst overseas, we both obtained positions, but decided to live apart. As an earnest student of Christian Science, I was greatly troubled over this situation. Attempts to establish peace failed. One day while I was studying Mrs. Eddy's spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer (Science and Health, p. 17), the words, "And Love is reflected in love," seemed to be illumined. An exalted concept of love flooded my consciousness and swept away all thoughts of self-righteousness and resentment. Shortly after this my sister asked me to share a double bed-sitting room with her. The restoration of harmony was complete. It never occurred to us that living together in one room would be anything but a happy experience, and so it proved to be. Real sisterly affection has prevailed ever since, although our interests are very different.
