One Fine Dad

I’d like to introduce a man named Harold Wright, an uncomplicated Manitoba farmer born in 1897. At age seventeen, Harold marched off to fight in the war to end all wars. He survived, started a family, and saw his eldest daughter join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in the war after that. Harold’s greater contribution to World War II, however, was proposing that his family take in three British evacuee children through the CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) program. He had his reasons. So convinced was Harold that this would be a great idea, he signed up his family as hosts without a thorough discussion with his wife. Knowing his wife’s good heart, he felt confident she’d be on board.

Harold was wrong.

Mrs. Wright, while willing to take in a teenage girl as a possible friend for her hurting daughter, was unequivocally opposed to hosting the two younger children who came as part of the package. She had her reasons.

Meanwhile, their teenage daughter was opposed to all three house guests. She had her reasons too.

By the time poor Harold discovered he’d acted too hastily, he had some impossible back-peddling to do. A family of three children had already arrived on his doorstep—siblings aged 14, ten, and seven, determined to stay together come hell or high water.

Hell and high water came when the three kids feared separation and ran away. Harold found himself bumping down dusty country roads in his old Ford truck on a dark, muggy July night while he searched for three English youngsters who knew nothing about life in the Canadian wilds.

One can imagine what went through Harold’s mind. He’d been so well-intentioned. His generous gesture was meant to bring joy and healing to his family while also helping another family, providing their kids with a safe and peaceful childhood. Now he’d failed miserably. What if the children couldn’t be found? He aimed his headlights into the ditches on both sides as he feared the worst. How on earth could he explain matters to CORB? Who would tell the children’s parents back in England?

He finally found the runaways—alive but filthy, hungry, thirsty, smelling like skunks, and covered in mosquito bites and poison ivy. Harold was fit to be tied while anger and relief jockeyed for position at his emotional steering wheel. He had about three seconds to decide how to handle this unprecedented, vexing situation. Whatever happened in the next few minutes—and over the course of the next several years—would demonstrate the sort of man Harold Wright was.

Without giving away more details, I’m glad to report that, over time and with multiple opportunities, Harold proved himself worthy of the title “father.” Though he didn’t always get things right, he’d learned to walk by faith in a God who taught him to lead with love, mercy, and wisdom. A man you’d love to know.

Unfortunately, you can’t meet him in person. Harold Wright is a fictional character in my upcoming novel, “Even If We Cry.” Though he plays a small role in the tale, it’s a surprisingly significant one. I can’t wait to share this story with you. It’ll be out in early December.

Meanwhile, I want to say “thank you” to all you fathers who do your best every day to make life better for your families, your communities, and your country even when your confidence sags and circumstances seem impossible. Trust your Heavenly Father to lead and guide you in patience, wisdom, and grace. He will not steer you wrong.

Happy Father’s Day.

British evacuees during WWII. Photo: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/evacuation-canada/

 

From Ashes to Promises

Last summer, I told you about a novel I titled From the Ashes, how it won the 2022 Braun Book Award, and how Word Alive Press would publish it before the end of the year. I’m happy to tell you the end of the year is rapidly approaching, and my 200 author copies are supposed to arrive today.

Except nowhere will they say, “From the Ashes.”

Although that name would have fit—you’ll understand why when you read it—one quick search on Amazon will show you the title has been used many times. Book titles cannot be copyrighted, but I wondered at the wisdom of using such a common one. My publishers wondered, too. They suggested Lilly’s Promise, named for the main character in the historical portion of this split-time story.

I could live with Lilly’s Promise. I checked Amazon for other books with the same title. I found one, but Lilly was spelled with only one L. Plus, the other Lily’s Promise is nonfiction. I mentioned it to my publishing team and they agreed it shouldn’t be a problem, for those reasons. Plus, they thought perhaps the other book may prove obscure. We settled on Lilly’s Promise and kept moving forward.

In mid-August, I stepped into Chapters Book Store in Winnipeg. You know how they always display the hottest current books right inside the door? Well, guess where my gaze landed? Lily’s Promise. The nonfiction story with one L. I simply had to buy a copy.

Written by Lily Ebert and her great-grandson, Dov Forman (only 17 when the book released), Lily’s Promise is sub-titled Holding on to Hope through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All Generations. Lily’s story is a life-affirming intergenerational memoir and an unforgettable tale of resilience and resistance. On Yom Kippur, 1944, fighting to stay alive as a prisoner in Auschwitz, Lily made a promise. She would survive and tell the world her story, for everyone who couldn’t.

Nearly 80 years would pass before Lily could keep her promise. For decades, no one talked about the horrific events that occurred in those Nazi concentration camps. “The Holocaust not only killed the people who died during the war, more people than the mind can take in, but also killed something in everybody who lived through it,” Lily says. “It meant that survivors could never lead normal lives and neither could their children, as I eventually came to realize. Maybe the next generation was even affected too.”

Not until the 1980s did Holocaust support groups begin to form—a safe place where survivors could gather to talk, or not talk, as they needed. One element they quickly realized held great importance was the food shared at their gatherings. For those forced to live on nearly nothing for so long, the freedom to select their own food and fill their plates can provide healing and rich comfort.

The book also chronicles Lily’s return visit to Auschwitz and her opportunities to speak to young people about her experiences. When Dov, a social media content creator, offered to help Lily tell her story, she knew that at 96 years of age, it was time to keep her promise. Harper-Collins agreed to publish the book. The foreword was written by the Patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. I highly recommend the book. 

Two books, same title. I recommend both.

My own Lilly’s Promise does not have a foreword written by a prince or a king or anyone, for that matter. But it’s a good story and I hope you’ll check it out. Click the book cover (top, right) to buy online. Local friends, here are the details of my upcoming launch event: