Fiction, Beverly Lewis has hit home once again with her latest book The Wish. This time, her story centers on two young ladies, Leona Spreicher and Gloria Gingerich. Leona was a lonely girl, born late in life to parents who were quiet and reserved. She may as well have been an only child with her much older married brother Mahlon. She longed for a friendship. A friendship with someone her own age who she could confide in and have fun as only girls can have fun. Her life seemed so quiet and ordinary. One day, a family from an Arkansas community became her neighbors. It was a lucky day for Leona when she met Gloria who was just the friend she longed for. She began spending time at the Gingerich home when her own mother was stricken with a debilitating case of pneumonia and couldn't care for Leona. Gloria's family was everything Leona's family was not with younger, fun loving parents and brothers to play games with. This was the family she felt she should have been born into. Until one day, the family suddenly moved away from Colerain Township. Gloria's father, Arkansas Joe had been expelled from the Old Order Amish church under mysterious circumstances. The girls were both heartsick and Gloria vowed to stay in touch with Leona.
Leona still missed her dear friend after three years but her strong faith led her to become baptized. She had also become engaged and worked part-time in her sister-in-laws gift shop. Her life was whole. One day, however, a letter came from Gloria that rocked her world. Her dear friend needed her and Leona was determined to go to Gloria and help in any way she could. Gloria's new life leads Leona to take a leap of faith and with her fiancee's blessing becomes determined to bring Gloria back home. She only hopes she is not too late.
This is an inspiring story of resilience where two young women never forgot their old childhood friendship. It is also a story of true forgiveness and lessons learned when we forgive and move forward. I enjoyed the book for the story but also the lessons. Sometimes when we think the grass must be greener in the neighbor's yard we need only to look at what we are growing at home and appreciate what we have. I had a hard time putting this book down. As with every book I have read by Beverly Lewis, this story is well grounded, has well developed characters people can identify with, brings tears to my eyes and makes me happy I read it!
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