At the end of World War II, after moving the family to a distant state, my husband abandoned me and our four children. I am so grateful for the practical application of Christian Science that enabled me to be a successful single parent.
I had been only a homemaker until then. And there was no relative or friend to take over the fatherly responsibilities for the children. But my years of turning to God for help and confidence came to my rescue. I knew that nothing was impossible to God. And I knew also that I must love my fellowman unconditionally, including even my ex-husband. Through my daily study of the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly and reading the Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel, I was spared the unhappiness of self-pity, jealousy, hatred, envy, and disappointment. Mary Baker Eddy's poem, "The Mother's Evening Prayer," which starts, "O gentle presence, peace and joy and power" (Poems, p. 4), encouraged me to see that I could carry on alone.
I began to realize how well prepared I was. My mother had taught me to sew skillfully and to cook economically. My father had taught me much about maintaining a pretty yard, and his love of music had led me to study it.
