I just closed the pages on this novel about Marta and Hildemara - a mother and daughter living in the first half of the 1900's. My friend Glenna recommended it as a book that taught her alot about how to be and how NOT to be. I can see why. Sometimes our best intentions are misunderstood - especially by our daughters and grandaughters! Marta had a very harsh way of showing her love, by pushing her daughter to anger in hopes of making her strong and dependent. She was so devastated by the suicidal death of her own sister who had been weak in Marta's eyes, and so hurt by her father's physical and emotional abuse that she had a warped way of 'helping' her own daughter. Her wounded past formed the way she viewed God, her husband and others, especially Hildemara. It had a very satisfying ending. It has left me feeling hopeful that communication and forgiveness will stand victorious. Unfortunately, some things on this earth will remain damaged and even though redeemed, it takes time for restoration and renewal. It will be interesting to read the sequel and see how Hildemara recovers (if she does) and how she will turn out as a mother herself. I have already seen how she is as a wife. It took Trip a long time to woo her out of her shell of protection. She has had to be very strong as he went off to fight in WW2 and is now coping with a husband who has PTSD. She is battling TB for the second time and has two small children - a son and a daughter. Hmmmmmm.....Hope the sequel is on the ANCF library shelf tomorrow....
