I replied, “I do Mama, and you’re right. I have forgiven my husband for all of the reasons you named.”
“Good, I’m so happy to hear it. Now as far as your sister is concerned, she made a terrible mistake, one she can’t take back. I need to hear you forgive her. You’ll never be able to get past this, and your heart won’t heal until you do. Do you understand me, Eula Mae? Forgiving her will do you a world, and it will help you more than it will help her. So come on now, I need to hear and see it. I don’t have much time left for this world. I can feel that sweet, sweet chariot swinging low for me now. I need you to do this for me. We all need it.”
Mama’s voice was weak, but she never relented. “You two girls and the tight bond of love y’all have always had for each other are my greatest joy. The two of you are proof that I’ve done something great along my journey. You’ve been my reason for being. Besides seeing the two of you loving each other again, the only thing left for me is to lay my eyes on my beautiful grandchild that’s about to come into this world.”
“You were always the stronger and tougher of the two of you. Your sister’s always looked up to you. I’m not asking you to do this. I need you to. I need you to be the Eula Mae that I know you to be. Now take your butt off your shoulders and forgive your sister.”
“Lula got up and waddled over with tears streaming down her cheeks, her head down, and said, ” I’m so sorry, Eula. Could you please find it in your heart to forgive a jealous fool? It was all my fault, all my doing. I took advantage of Bull. I knew he had way too much to drink and wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I made him believe I was you. Please forgive me, please! I miss you so very, very much.”
“Hearing Lula’s apology lightened my heart, and instantly I felt a calming peace wash over me. I put my arms around Lula, kissed her on the cheek, and told her I loved and forgave her. The three of us smiled and shed a few happy tears. I’ll never forget that moment, how great I felt having my sister back. It wasn’t a minute afterward that Lula’s water broke, and she began screaming about the pain of her contractions.”
Charles R. Butts Jr. 