 |
Meg was only three years old
when her mother left her and her eight siblings to go live with her
aunt Daisy. Although Daisy pretended to be a caring and nurturing
guardian, she was in fact, the opposite. She kept Meg and her siblings
in one room, locked together all day. At times, Meg and her siblings
were ignored for so long they would get very ill, including long bouts
with diarrhea. Meg’s father arrived one day and took the then
four-year-old girl to live with his new wife and two daughters.
Although Meg had high hopes for her new life, living with her father
and stepmother proved dangerous. One day, her stepmother used kerosene
oil to grease Meg’s hair for braiding. Terrified, Meg ran to her
grandmother, Meme. Meme cleaned Meg and forbid her from returning to
her father’s house. At six years old, Meg went to school for the first
time. Walking home one day a man tried to give her candy from his car.
Meg ran to a stranger’s house, frightened and ashamed at having wet her
pants from fright. Ms. Mary returned her to her grandmother, but Meme
had become too old to take care of her. Meg was forced to move once
again, this time to live with her Aunt Lyn. Soon after, Meme became
gravely ill and moved into Lyn’s house as well. Needing help, Lyn hired
Ms. Joyce to care for Meme. Ms. Joyce told Meg that God loved her. It
was the first time Meg had been told that she was loved by anyone. Meg
began attending Church, where she found sanctuary for the first time in
her life.
Based on a true story, this novel is filled with anecdotes about the
importance of perseverance and faith. Jennings writing is filled with
heartfelt descriptions about little girl Meg’s challenging life in
Jamaica. Although Meg is sent to live with one family member after
another, she never feels quite safe enough with any of them. Meg tries
her hardest to please each new family, but is given little love in
return. It’s only when she discovers God’s love that Meg finally feels
at home. Jennings inspires her readers with an underlying thread of
faith, belief, trust, and action. The author offers small pieces of
advice on each one of these merits, emboldening her readers to accept
the promises of Jesus. This is an inspiring read.