From a Wandering Soul
by Anne Grass
Dr. Chmiel,
In my life, I am always amazed at the people and circumstances God uses to communicate His love and truth to me. Right now, I am overwhelmed by the loving presence of goodness in this world as evidenced by you and your late wife. I am only on page 95 of The Book of Mev, cannot stop crying, and decided to be pro-active against my tears that often lack value for me and write you an email you will probably never read instead.
Hi o hola, si quiere.
My name is Anne Grass, and I have lived in the West County of the lovely and broken city of St. Louis for most of my life. I feel like that is a confession because I am slowly beginning to understand that my residence in an affluent suburb in the US very much coincides and contributes to the residence of some other living breathing person in squalor—-I know because I have seen, or at least tried to see.
I recently returned from the Dominican Republic where I stayed for 4 months in a Catholic Mission and for a month of that time lived with the campesinos. I type this email in an air-conditioned room where the power will not go out because of poor infrastructure and corruption and realize I am lost. I am numb to the suffering I witnessed in the third world because back here in West County I am ordered to avoid suffering and hang out at the pool instead.
As a Business School Dropout, and soon to be Junior at Creighton University, I currently define myself as a “wandering soul” rather than the ever feared label of “undecided” or “undeclared”. Your book is speaking to me in a way that I am sure will aid in my discernment of my vocation to love and to serve. Thank you. Your words have inspired and will continue to inspire me. I am thankful for you and for your witness to the Jebby term MAGIS, to be the more.
Numbers 6:24-26: “May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Que la paz este con usted… ana maria de la paz (Anne Grass)