I met her at a party. She was the wife of one of my husband's business associates. We instantly hit it off, having several mutual interests. Although I worked full time, we found many opportunities to get together. From the start I was impressed by her lively, clear thinking. Although we never discussed religion, I knew she was committed to church activities beyond the usual holiday bazaars and rummage sales, and she abstained from liquor at a time when the cocktail culture reigned. During a car ride, I discovered she was a Christian Scientist. Months later she invited me and my two-year-old daughter to visit her at her parents' West Coast home. I was about seven months pregnant and ready to go on a leave of absence from my career. I accepted.
After long days filled with taking my two-year-old to all the tourist attractions, we would relax after dinner and talk. And because I had been admiring her inner peace for months, I asked about her religious beliefs, and we talked about Christian Science. Her mother was a Christian Science practitioner, who healed people through prayer.
I asked them one night if they believed that Christian Science could heal the sciatica back pain I was suffering with during this pregnancy. My doctors had told me there was nothing they could do for me. Without hesitating a moment, my friends assured me that Christian Science could help. They explained, in a way that made sense to me, how spiritual, pure thinking results in a healthier body.
