Sally

Sally sat on the floor, tears running down her face. Sobbing incontrollably.

She looked around at the smoke flamed room and thought of all the things her family used to do and had planned on doing in the future there.

Staring into the distance, she began to think of what she would do next. Only 17 years old, not quite done with school, she made up her mind that that would be her first priority. Finish school and then find work and rebuild, if only one brick at a time.

Discussing things over with the chief if the village, he gave her permission to rebuild when she was able and would give her a letter of consent so others would give her the needed materials for the build.

With that accomplished, she set out to do just that. Every morning she went to school and every evening she would plan and design her new home.

When school ended, she was first in her class and received honors and a sizable monetary award.

This gave her what she needed so she could make ends meet while looking for a job but also made it possible to start getting materials for the build.

She decided to use all natural materials, if at all possible, which would make for manageable news when it came to financing the build and it would be local so she would not have to pay for anything to be shipped or imported.

With determination and help from others at different stages in the process, she managed to get the foundation laid and walls framed.

Looking with satisfaction at her accomplishments, she gazed around and thought about all the things she wants to do in the future now that this was seeming to become a reality.

With a smile on her face, she went to the drawing board and looked over her designs for the next phase. Thinking of using planed trees for the walls and palm leaves for flooring, she set out to buy the needed amounts to set things in motion.

At the town center she met an elderly woman who had taken note of what she was doing. She told Sally she reminded her of herself as a young one and commended her for her resilience.

Sally thanked her and took down her name and contact information so that they could keep in touch, she felt she needed someone she can confide in and her newfound friend seemed to fit that just perfectly.

As she made her way back home, she reminisced how she used to have long conversations with her mom in the evenings and goosebumps came over her as the thought of being able to this with her new friend filled her mind.

Getting the walls and floors done, seemingly rather quickly, she figured she would use a thatched roof, hoping to keep all the suns' rays and heat out and therefore keep cooler than a tin roof. Also it would be much cheaper and allow her to splurge elsewhere if needed.

Open windows with just wood design helped with the air flow, but she did find some mosquito netting at a reasonable price. Most would have used it to surround the beds in each room but she decided to forgo that and instead use them for covering the windows like curtains and over the door. This way she could see out and get the breeze without the bother of the bugs.

She made sure that there was a nice solid door at the front and back of the house and closable shudders for the windows, for security purposes, being a young lady on her own now.

Before fall set in good, her home was finished and the cheif praised her for her work and resourcefulness.

She kindly accepted his commendation was sure to mention that she didn't do this alone. She thanked all who helped her along the way and let them know she would never forget them and to her new friend, she told her how much she needed and cherished their long talks in the evening, especially when her mind was not at ease and how she appreciates her being their for her.

The chief said: "All should be as humble and resilient as this young woman in our community."

With that, all went on their way, but the elderly lady walked her home and unknown to Sally, she had rallied for her and was able to come up with all the money needed to pay the taxes for the house and they were going to celebrate customarily when a young woman comes of age.

Sally was of course shocked, yet overjoyed, humbled even more and grateful to all and surprised.

What a wonderful way to end a year that started out so horribly wrong. Her heart was full, her eyes filled with happy tears, and the future looked bright.

Sally sat back on the log at the bon fire, slowly looking around at all who were there. She sighed deeply, smiled widely, and gave a silent prayer to God for his grace, thanking all again in her heart.

She slept soundly in her new home, and yes, she did find work during all this time. She had designed her house so innovative that she was hired to be an architect and they would pay for any further education she needed.

Sally felt blessed. Her sadness has turned into joy. Her plight now has changed and her future, sure and bright.

"Life has a way of making us grow up fast but remain humble and resilient and you can turn your life around and there will be many helping hands," said her new friend.

She explained to Sally that that is what she learned from her situation and that she was glad to see it happen for her, too.

Sally embraced her new friend heartily and they both wept tears of joy.

She thanked her profusely for being there with and for her and they sat back and gazed at the starry filled night sky.