When Thelma Harris was just a year old, her father, Thomas, left her and her mother, Erin. Erin was a lively and cheerful woman but became very sad when Thomas abandoned them. Despite this, she worked hard for little Thelma’s future.
Erin had a job as a flight attendant on international flights and was often away from home. Because of this, she couldn’t always take care of Thelma. So, she decided to put her in an orphanage run by the local church close to their home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thelma met a little girl at the orphanage who looked like her | Photo: Shutterstock
Erin herself had grown up in an orphanage run by a Catholic church in Atlanta and went to community school. After finishing university, she took flight attendant training and became a stewardess.
When Thelma turned one year old, Thomas left them both behind.
A lively woman before his departure; Erin became very sad after he left but fought hard for Thelma’s bright future ahead of her.
In her job as an international stewardess; Erin was often away from home so couldn’t look after Thelma all the time.
Thusly, she placed Thelma into an orphanage managed by the town’s church near their house in Atlanta.
Erin herself had been raised as an orphan too.
She brought Thelma back only during vacations each year so they could spend time together. Other kids at the orphanage were jealous because even though most of the time was spent there; at least Thelma had someone who cared about her.
But no one knew how lonely it felt for Thleama when mom only visited twice yearly! She felt alone since none of the other kids wanted to be friends with someone they envied; out of boredom she started painting.
At 16 years old; painting inspired Thleama to study Arts in college! But Erin didn’t support that — wanting medicine instead which caused big fights between them leading to their broken relationship.
“I want to paint mom! You can’t force me into medicine!” Thleama insisted firmly.
“No way,” said Erin “Not Arts! That path has no future & you’ll struggle your whole life! I don’t want that.”
“But mom,” Thleama replied “I love painting & want it as my career not medicine just because you think doctors earn well!”
“Honey you’re young & making rash choices,” warned Erin “Trusting your father hurt me once before look where we are now? You live here while I work day & night!”
“Of course mom!” exclaimed Thleama “Only I suffered here despite having you around—why? Because you dated some jerk! Now you’re making another choice affecting us both!” She added “If money worries you—I can work part-time.”
With that statement made; Thleama packed up leaving that evening determined to prove herself right moving from Atlanta down south towards Savannah!
She took off one school year preparing scholarship tests enrolling into Fine Arts program next term!
Continuing volunteering like before—she visited nearby orphange bringing coloring books/toys holding art sessions with children there every weekend!
Years passed quickly without contact between mother/daughter until eventually longing grew within Thleama wanting reconciliation again over time…
Initially after moving southward—she tried calling several times sending letters yet received nothing back since anger led Mom changing numbers ignoring emails sent…
However now aged 32—the CEO running successful design firm realized patience might’ve helped instead cutting ties over arguments made long ago…
So finally deciding return visit orphange reunite with mother wasn’t easy emotionally given past events surrounding last conversation held together…
“But remember dear—it heals everything” reasoned self hiring cab ride heading back towards Atlanta next evening ahead…
Unfortunately taxi broke down halfway through journey darkness fell upon surroundings already three cabs canceled rides offered…“Maybe fate doesn’t want me fixing things” thought almost giving up fourth cab cancellation occurred then suddenly kind man pulled alongside offering assistance asking if needed help rolling window down friendly manner…
“Yes please would appreciate it” replied relieved feeling grateful receiving aid requested ride toward destination explaining situation briefly encountered earlier breakdowns faced along route taken thus far…
“Sure thing headed same direction myself hop aboard!” responded Curtis cheerfully inviting inside vehicle promptly introducing themselves sharing stories passing time during drive together discussing lives lived thus far shared experiences exchanged openly throughout trip taken until arrival reached destination point finally arrived safely outside location requested earlier dropping off near bus stop closest proximity available walking distance remaining short distance away reaching final goal achieved successfully arriving back where began journey started long ago…
It approached 8:30 p.m., children already settled post-dinner routines director gone home leaving Sister Julie on duty recognizing familiar face instantly upon sighting young adult standing there before eyes wide open gasping softly uttering words spoken aloud surprised tone filled voice echoing through air surrounding moment shared between two individuals reunited once more after many years apart separated due circumstances beyond control faced previously endured hardships experienced throughout lifetime lived thus far leading paths crossed again unexpectedly today…
“Oh dear is that really YOU?”
“Sister!” Thelma cried cheerfully, hugging her. “How have you been?”
“I’m doing fine, dear. But why did you leave so abruptly? Your mother was very concerned after you left her.”
“I’m sorry, Sister. Mom and I had a huge fight about something, and I had to leave, but I’m back to make amends for what I did. I wanted to surprise mom, so I didn’t contact her before. Is she in town?”
“Well,” Sister Julie was about to say something when a young girl entered the room. “Can you help me find my doll, Sister Julie?” she inquired in a squeaky voice, rubbing her eyes.
A shock ran through Thelma when she looked closely at the girl. “She – She looks so much like me! How is that possible?”
Sister Julie noticed how Thelma’s face had turned pale at the sight of the girl. She told the little girl, Cindy, to go to her room and sent Sister Nancy after her to assist her. She then turned around to face Thelma, her hand resting on Thelma’s hands.
Thelma noticed a strange fear in Sister Julie’s eyes at that point. “There’s something you should be aware of, Thelma. It’s about the little girl you just met,” she began and told her the girl’s story.
Sister Julie told Thelma that Cindy was her younger sister. Erin married a man named Kevin years after Thelma left her, and they welcomed a baby girl. They named her Cindy. However, Kevin didn’t want to look after the baby and Erin and abandoned them for a young woman.
“She was really depressed when she was abandoned again,” Sister Julie explained. “But who can defy God’s will? That poor woman endured a great deal of pain and suffering. And, sadly, she died in a plane crash. Cindy is now six years old. She used to stay with us when Erin went to work, but after she died, we officially took her in.”
When Thelma learned her mother was no longer alive, her heart sank. She felt terrible for not contacting her even once, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I – I should have contacted her. She was in a lot of pain, and I…I can’t forgive myself, Sister.”
“Don’t cry, Thelma,” Sister Julie said, hugging her. “What happened was what God had in mind for us. You should be grateful that you are here, and you still have the opportunity to make amends by looking after your sister.”
“I’ll do it, Sister. I’m not going to make the same mistake I did before,” Thelma promised. And the following day, she filed for Cindy’s guardianship.
When it was finalized a month later, she brought little Cindy home. The little girl was overjoyed to learn she had an older sister.
Since then, 9 years had passed. Cindy is 15 years old now and will soon graduate from high school. Recently, Thelma told her what happened between her and Erin, which saddened Cindy a little, but it also motivated her to take up medicine and fulfill her late mother’s wish.
Thelma, on the other hand, has expanded her business to more US states, and she and Curtis got hitched last year. They’d frequently been meeting since Thelma relocated to Atlanta from Savannah for Cindy. Eventually, their meetings turned into love, and they later decided to marry.
