My Best Friend
When I was five, my best friend was Leonard. He worked for my parents doing gardening and other odd jobs, but mostly he spent time with a lonely little girl…me.
As I lived in the country, I didn’t have a lot of neighbor kids to play with until I was older. My main companions were our dogs, Nancy the pony, and Leonard.
Almost every day, Leonard would saddle up Nancy, which was no easy feat as Nancy was a true Shetland pony. She’d pin her ears, puff out her tummy, and make the job three times as hard for Leonard. But he always got it done so I could joyfully be placed on top and led around the yard.
To me, Leonard was much more than just a pony walker. He spent time with me. He’d tell me stories and always find interesting things for me to learn – a bird’s nest, the tracks of a raccoon, a spider web shining in the dew.
He was my best friend for many years.
Eventually, I grew up and left my home and Leonard behind. I vaguely remember hearing that Leonard had died. I’m know I was sad, but I don’t remember the why and how of his death.
Much later when I had my first child and was visiting my mom, I asked about Leonard and she told me something that totally shocked me!
Leonard was a Murderer
My mom explained that Leonard had a drinking problem and had murdered his wife. According to my mom, it was a crime of passion and he served his time. When he came to our home to ask for work, my mother talked to him for a long time and eventually hired him to do the gardening.
As I was a mother with a young child at this time, I was horrified to learn this. How could my mother have trusted him to take care of me? What was she thinking?
My mother reminded me that mistakes are part of life. We all make them, big and small. However, because we are human, we have the capacity to learn from them and not repeat them. She also told me that everyone deserves a second chance.
It took me a long time to absorb what my mom had said, but I have to admit that Leonard never showed any unkindness to me and as far as I know, he never drank or harmed anybody again.
When I think of Leonard, I think of the power of salvation and forgiveness. While he could never alter the fact that he killed someone he loved, Leonard found a way to redeem himself. He changed his life and thanks in part to my mother, he got a second chance.
Because of that second chance, he helped a very shy child to grow up into the woman I’ve become. He taught me to enjoy all things in nature, to believe that people can change, and to have a special place in my heart for my first and best childhood friend.
* * * * * * *
How do you think your view of a person would change if you knew dark secrets of their past?
Have you ever made a really BIG mistake and if so, how did you redeem yourself?
Was there someone in your life that was special and helped you as a child to become the person you are today?
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
This remarkable story really demonstrates how we’re all works in progress and the growing and evolving is never ending. Your mother is an incredible woman.
Talons last blog post..The phlox, the fly, and the bouncing bee…
Your mother is beautiful. And Leonard is a hero, overcoming such “insurmountable” circumstances without and within. And you are so lovely to have recognized all of this and still feel your affection and gratitude. This story moves me so much I’m crying and I’ve no other words, no way to properly express the overwhelming emotion I feel at all the demonstrations of love, all the threads of love woven here.
Julies last blog post..Creative, Creativ, Kreativ
I can only imagine the surprise you felt when you learned of Leonard’s “dark” past.
I am impressed that your mother was able to “see through” that single dark act and recognize it for what it obviously was – a single, albeit HUGE mistake. Obviously. that single act was not representative of Leonard’s true, innate character.
How inspiring it is to hear that your mother was able to see past his actions and into his heart. What a valuable lesson this is for us all!
Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..Business Building Secret: People are actually pretty smart…
What a beautiful, poignant photo this is that, to me, shows the pain and compassion in Leonard’s face and the beauty of his life begetting a second chance. What a powerful story that personally means a great deal to me. A precious story on love, redemption and forgiveness.
Shelley´s last blog ..Free E-Course-Creative Intuition changed
Wow! What a gift your dear mother gave this poor soul who I’m sure carried enough pain and horrendous grief/loss over what he’d done without the need for your mother kicking him around further by refusing him a second chance. She is a wise, compassionate and healing woman. A powerful woman. All souls have to heal at some point if the human species is going to evolve to a place of love, forgiveness and compassion. You mother change the dynamics in the whole Universe the day she trusted this man. And for you and she to speak of it years later shows the depth and breath, the reach of her choice. It is something that you then pass of to us and on and on the lesson and love goes. Beautiful!
Robin Easton´s last blog ..What’s the Latest Score?
Oh Sara! What a wonderful story…I could just cry right now. Your Mother sets a beautiful example of non-judgment. Yes, she took a risk! But I bet she listened to her heart…and just knew that he would not harm your family. I would have been scared… What a gift she gave you and Leonard. And now you are sharing this gift…we all grow from tolerance and forgiveness.
BTW…I know I am not posting at The Zen In You…but you can find me through the link above. Hope you stop by!
Caroline´s last blog ..Wilted
Sara, forgiveness is often perceived as a very hard lesson to internalize and apply without any grudge. Your mom is a shining example of someone who understands the concept of forgiveness. You grew up knowing the family gardener as a human being. This is a way you are learning not to judge. Learning not to judge is difficult for some people. And yet, choosing not to judge is one of the easiest things in the world. You simply make the choice.
Liara Covert´s last blog ..Hear of Smudgeface?
Hi Sara, what a touching story. Your mother is a model example.
I got two key points here : forgiveness and learning from mistake.
Thanks for sharing your story, Sara.
Arswino´s last blog ..Each Day Is A Gift
Hi Sara – Wow! What a shock to hear that news. It’s hard to learn something unpleasant about someone that we care about, but we all have things about us that we would rather not have people know. It’s nice to know that even our biggest mistakes can still be redeemed.
Amanda Linehan´s last blog ..What To Do When You Feel Stuck
@ Talon — How right you are! Also, I want you to know that I’ve been enjoying saying phlox and talking about the flowers. It’s been kind of cool because most people around here don’t know what a phlox is:~)
@ Julie — I agree about both Leonard and my mom, but I’m sorry it made you cry:( Leonard was really a very special man and I’m glad to tell his story:~)
@ Kathy — I’m not sure I could have done what my mom did when I had young children. She had a bit more faith, I think, than I might have had…but I am ever so glad she did have that faith. Leonard was a kind man and very caring of me for which I will always be grateful:~)
@ Shelley — Thank you for your kind words and I’m glad this story touched you in some way. I agree with you about the photo…you do see a lot in Leonard’s eyes, but I also remember that those eyes could crinkle up with laughter…especially at the very stubborn pony, Nancy!
@ Robin — What beautiful words you wrote…”Your mother changed the dynamics in the whole Universe the day she trusted this man.” Thank you for your special comment:~)
Our first instinctive response would be shock, not only because of discovering the darkness of a certain secret past, but being shocked of the contrast of that darkness to the light that we saw existing in that person. After the shock however would be gratitude and awe, and our learning that there is really a second chance for each person, for each soul to find its true beauty and purpose
Jocelyn at I TAKE OFF THE MASK´s last blog ..7 Secret Keys to Happiness and Success Book FREE!
This moved me to tears Sara. The choice your mother made had a profound impact on these three lives. You seem to have grown up just like her. What a wonderful model to have in your life. I feel grateful to your mother for making this story possible and to you for sharing it. What a wonderful story! Thank you Sara.
Davina´s last blog ..Guest Post: Three Shades of Happiness
This is one reason you have grown to be such an accepting person. (You accept many of my faults—-or should I say my interesting quirks)
Your mother is a wonderful, beautiful person to forgive someone who did something so horrific. I know I would have a very hard time doing the same under similar circumstances.
In terms of my own big mistake, I take comfort knowing that the end result could have been a lot worse. Keeping that in mind helps me not to make the same mistake again.
Carla´s last blog ..SkinnySkinny Sale
My biggest mistakes are in the past and between me and God so I won’t embarrass myself by sharing any of those.
Well, if I knew a person to be someone I trusted and liked and found out later that they had done a biggie, I really don’t think it would change how I felt about them. We all mess up.
And you sure were a cute little girl!
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Like a bord on a wire, 9
I’m betting this is one of those rare blog posts I’ll actually remember. At first I thought the photo was a still from “Gone with the Wind.” I expected an insider story from one of the great movies of the 20th Century. The photo has a definite cinematic quality. Then I read your story and thought what a great movie this would make. Morgan Freeman as Leonard. No joke. You might want to think about contacting a screenwriter. This is a powerful story. A beautiful lonely child, a man with a dark past, a woman with unfathomable compassion and trust. Ponies and Spanish moss. Wow. I’d sure like to know more. You could be sitting on a gold mine. This is some story!
Brenda´s last blog ..Next Great Rock Star
@Caroline — My mother had a lot of faith and I think that made a big difference in her decisions and you are right, she trusted:~)
@ Liara– I really liked this line from your comment, “You grew up knowing the family gardener as a human being. This is a way you are learning not to judge.” It is so true:~)
@ Arswino — You are so welcome:~)
@ Amanda — You’re right it is good to know that mistakes can be redeemed. I also think it’s how the person learns from a mistake and what they do afterward that’s important. I appreciate your comment:~)
@ Jocelyn — Wow…I like this image, “…being shocked of the contrast of that darkness to the light that we saw existing in that person.” I think we all have a bit both and by recognizing this truth, maybe it’s easier to forgive:~)
@ Davina — You’re welcome. I agree about my mom and hope I learn to have the faith that she had:~)
@ JC — Hello friend! What faults? I didn’t think you had any:~)
@ Carla — I agree about realizing things could have worse. Thanks for the comment:~)
@ Jannie — As usual, you are so right! I never felt very cute as a kid, but when I look at this picture, I kind of agree with you:~) Thanks for thoughts about this post!
@ Brenda — Thanks for your kind words about this post! I can’t take any credit for the picture, I just inherited it from my parents.
The idea of a movie is a bit overwhelming, but if I was to make this story into a movie, I would remember to give you a percentage of it! You’ve already given me a head start…I wonder if Morgan Freeman would be interested….:~)
I appreciate your comment very much!
I’m floored by this.
Yes, there is darkness in me. I have needed forgiveness and always will. I have needed to be saved from it and always will. In short, I have needed someone to see my ruination and begin reconstruction.
I’m a work in progress.
Tony Single´s last blog ..The Bad Speller Award
@ Tony — I do believe you are salvageable. I hope in your life, as in mine, we will always get second chances:~)
Thanks for this. “Leonard was a murderer” was a hard-hitting header — it gave me a jolt!
I believe Leonard’s kindness and loving approach to being with you was in large part to his past experiences. God bless your Mom for seeing the true nature and extending trust and love to him. Hey, and it was to your benefit.
Gerri´s last blog ..Gratefulness Week-24
What a beautiful story……your mother was a wise woman with a trusting and forgiving heart.
Serena´s last blog ..mantra monday and photo-a-week
@ Serena — I agree about my mom. Thanks very much for this comment:~)