Once in a while a character on TV or in a movie, a character steps off of the screen and into my heart/imagination.
Such is the case with Sarah Adams on the Australian drama, A Place to Call Home.
The character of Sarah is a nurse returning to 1950s Australia after 20 years in Europe. A convert to Judaism, Sarah emerged from the horrors of World War II strong, principled, and defiant-a thoroughly modern woman still bearing the weight of the past.
I have seen the entire series three times now! Somewhere in the middle of being with her story over the course of a few years, I made this card for my deck as a way to keep her energy present with me as I go forward in my life.
This is one of those cards that could easily be in one of several suits.
Sometimes she reminds me of my own inner tenacity and spirituality and my ability to survive difficult challenges. At those times, she is part of my Inner Committee.
At other times her energy seems wiser, bigger and broader than me, and at these times she is part of my Council Suit.
And finally, once in a while she feels like a sister/friend, in which case she holds a place in my Community Suit.
Who are you?
I am the one who survived the Holocaust. I am the one who cares deeply for those I love. I am the one who had to make many sacrifices. I am the one who has suffered so much loss. I am the one who gave up my Catholic upbringing to embrace the Jewish faith when I married my husband. I am the one who is proud to be a Jew. I am the one who practices my spiritual rituals no matter what other people think. I am the one who is strong of heart and mind and body. I am the one who has no patience for injustice. I am the one who speaks my mind.
What do you have to give me?
I give you permission to speak up and to claim the truth, no matter what. I give you a big, steely heart that doesn’t suffer fools gladly. I give you wisdom and truth. I give you strength.
What do you want from me?
I want you to remember that you have also survived much. I want you to know that you have the same steely inner strength and that it will get you through anything.
Is there anything else you want to say to me today?
Yes. My character is fictional, but I represent many people in your life as well as your own.