Writing and Reading

Ready for my third sketch? For reference, check under the category of THE CAIN LETTERS and check for the first two sketches. This one is especially dear to me, too, considering the role he plays in the book.

His name is….

CARDINAL FELIX DELGADO

Serving the Lord as liasion between the Vatican and the Berith Lochem, the Spaniard Cardinal Felix isn’t your ordinary holy man. Deep within his ancient lines stands a wisdom really only Alexandra ever fosters. He normally doesn’t talk to anybody else much. He converses sometimes with Kyan, but that’s about it. Most of the time, you’d find him revealing the joy in life–despite its darkness that he sees.

He has seen his share of terror, evil. In fact, hidden in his heart lies secrets sometimes even he can’t bear. If it wasn’t for Alexandra’s parents, two of some of the greatest hunters known to the Berith Lochem, he wouldn’t be alive. The memory of that miracle lives on by the vertical scar crossing his left cheek. You can’t see it in his photo…. But it’s there.

So he carries his scar with him wherever he goes. He carries many scars. And the only way he can bear all that pain is by serving both the Lord–and his godchild, Alexandra Glade, protecting her. Hoping evil won’t ever take her away.

Today was actually a fun day with my son–the Grand Rapids Children Museum, Jimmy Johns for dinner and then a movie–

“The Tale of Despereaux”.

Oh. My. God. I have to say, ladies and gentlemen–what a phenomenal film.

I know it’s technically based on a children’s book, but it doesn’t matter–

It touched me in a very serious way.

You see, as many of you probably know–especially if you have kids–the story itself is about courage. Honor. Forgiveness. I won’t lie–my tears fell as I watched. It’s a different experience watching a full-length feature film, taking such a small, powerful idea from a children’s book and expanding it into something global–something that reaches everyone.

It was a life message for me. Between the words, between the dialogue–the irony bled into me harder than a hemorrhage. Given what I’ve been going through, the coming decision I need to make–it touched me deep inside, especially with my son sitting on my lap, telling me he loves me….

Shortly after the movie, I had to tell her–my son’s mommy–after dropping him off at his home. I had to tell her what was coming for me. Having my son there–on my lap in the theater, telling me he loves me–I couldn’t have had more strength than I already had to do what I needed to do.

I’m still not quite decided, yet, folks. I need to see my friends at church this Sunday just to soak their stares in. It blew my mind, though, people–when I told her. I didn’t expect that reaction….

She let slip a little dishonesty regarding the coming divorce proceedings, but it doesn’t matter anymore…. I won’t go into detail on that.

Simply, after all these months, the need for counseling melted away. I suppose I understood straight away that there would never be any understanding why she did what she did. Sometimes the world works that way. People do incomprehensible things.

It especially doesn’t matter anymore now that I’m faced with this decision that’ll immensely change my life in so many ways.

Her reaction was this, people: complete support, relief, even pride. Again, did not expect it. Did not expect it at all.

Like I said, life messages between the words you’ll hear every single day, with every breath you take. You learn important lessons you carry with you if you just read between the lines. The fine print’s there. Things happen for a reason.

Go watch the film…. You’ll see that fine print, too. You’ll see that life message. Unless you’ve already lived it.