Sample Reading

Lexxie, the first two things I see for you and old fashioned sailing ships in a harbor and a multi-paned shopkeeper's window, frosted up and looking out over a snow covered street. You lived in colonial American in a northeastern seaport town. It wasn't a big city, but it was a fairly bustling place. You were married to a shopkeeper. Through that, you were constantly exposed to the full spectrum of townsfolk. There were a couple of wealthy sea merchant's wives who set your teeth on edge with their condescending attitude towards anyone they felt was beneath them. They were especially derisive towards the poorer folk in town, which made you want to slap them silly.

One day, you caught a poor woman stealing from your shop. You knew that she had been recently widowed and had a young son to support. Instead of calling the constable, you talked to her about her situation and told her to come back the next day. You discussed this with your husband and asked him to allow you to hire the woman as a servant. He wasn't thrilled about the idea. However, he felt that it was his duty as a good Christian to show kindness to the poor, so he agreed to it.

That worked out OK for a few years. The woman was very guarded, so you never got to know her well as a person. Her son did become like a nephew to you, though. Unfortunately, your husband eventually caught her stealing again. She had been stealing little things piece by piece until she had amassed a stash of items. This time he did call the constable. He downplayed how much she had stolen, so she only had to spend some time in the stocks. I don't think she could help herself from stealing. She had such an intense fear of living on the streets that she felt a need to stockpile in case that ever happened. Your husband did dismiss her. She ran away to some far away town with her boy and you never heard of them again.

That whole situation was very troubling to you. You were very hurt that she had betrayed your trust like that after you had already done so much to help her. You were also very concerned for the boy. I think that incident haunted you for the rest of your life. It also left you with some trust issues.

Then the Revolutionary War hit after your children were grown up. 2 of your sons fought in the war and managed to survive it. One had a bad shoulder injury at one point, though. The war disrupted your flow of supplies for the shop, so it threw a kink in your livelihood for several years. Also, one of your daughters was married to a Tory. Historians downplay how much of a civil war the Revolutionary War actually was. You spent a lot of time concerned about her safety. She and her husband later moved to Canada, which broke your heart.

Lexxie's Feedback

This does resonate with me, Nellie. You've pretty much described me as I am today. I cannot tolerate those who look down on other's - and I am very much one for helping people out; even when they have done something wrong because of circumstances. I am also one for giving people a chance despite prior actions.

And, because of all this- like described below- I tend to be very untrusting of people. I most certainly do have trust issues in this life. What you said explains a lot.

I laughed at the Canada mention. I am Canadian by birth. Funny how I chose Canada in this lifetime and it also explains my attachment to the Country, as well.

As usual, right on the money, Nels.