"People, even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived and reclaimed and redeemed; and never throw out anyone" /Audrey Hepburn
One of the most beautiful women in the world, Audrey rose to stardom in such roles as Gigi, Breakfast at Tiffaney's and My Fair Lady.
Audrey remains one of only sixteen people who won the Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards.
Stardom could not replace the deep melancholy that Audrey carried.
At the age of six, Audrey was abandoned by her father. She was traumatized by the loss as she idolized her father.
**
In 1989 Audrey became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, beginning what she would call her "second career."
Helping victims of war, deprivation and abandonment as she had been.
This became her life's purpose.
**
Abandonment
"The large yard contained a playground with swings and for a moment I was just a girl. I sat my bruised and wounded body down gingerly on a swing and started to swing back and forth slowly with my legs dragging on the ground.
I was alone and sighed with relief. I did not want more conversation.
The fall day warmed my face. I felt stunning relief.
I would survive whatever they threw at me.
I would be grown up and someone would love me.
I remembered love.
I knew what it felt like.
A sweet remembrance, full of longing.
I remembered the Man in the picture at the orphanage.
My imaginary dad.
He was surrounded by laughing children.
I would find love again.
I would laugh again.
(excerpt from Outside the Gate)
Love does not vanish in the morning mist
Or disappear in the morning dew
When all the world abandons
He does not abandon you
Spirit within me
To my heart speaks
Love is an oasis
In the wilderness of grief
Drawing me to love
Holding me close
Transforming my sorrow
To a gateway of hope
Our Lord Jesus
He has answered
He has heard the cries
Of the abandoned
/j.smith 2021
"In that day I will answer
Says the Lord
I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds
And the sky will answer as it pleads for rain
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
Of the grain." (Hosea 2: 21-22)
"I will transform her valley of trouble
To a gateway of hope." Hosea 2:15