Embrace the Light

By Murf Chilson

Embrace the light is a story set in England in 1930. It has all the ingredients of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. There is an evil step mother, a prince charming and at one time her only friends are her animals. It is an inspiring tale of never losing hope in the face of darkness and despair.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781618562074

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Prologue

November, 1929

She knew her heart was breaking in two. Fifteen years of living had not prepared her for the grief that was engulfing her. Lady Christine had been sick for a year, but it never occurred to Princess Eugenia her mother would die and leave them so soon.

The funeral was just a blur—a flash of herself and her grieving father along with the many mourners by the graveside. It was held in the small cemetery on a hill in the back of the house. The headstone read—beloved Wife and Mother 1892-1929. When she gazed upon her Mother in the coffin, Eugenia couldn’t decide if she wanted to crawl in there with her or run from the hideous sight.

Most of the consoling mourners were not known to her, however the few she knew would wrap her in their arms in a stifling embrace thinking they could help. She had to escape!

The barn was not too far from the house and Eugenia ran there to be with her beloved horse, Jenkins. As her arms wrapped around Jenkins’ neck the tears began—slowly at first, then she sobbed uncontrollably. It was here her father, Sir Richard found her late in the afternoon. She was curled up in the corner of the stall with Jenkins hovering over her protectively. The butler, Hoover, carried her to the house placing her in bed gently.

Sir Richard instructed the staff not to disturb her. Later he chastised himself for this.

After twenty four hours of sleeping, a vigorous attempt was made to awaken Eugenia to no avail. Finally the family doctor was called in. Old Dr. Perkins tried several things that usually worked, but it was as though Eugenia had escaped reality and willed herself into a deep catatonic sleep. After several days it was necessary to put in a catheter and a feeding tube.

A nurse was hired and moved into the room across from Eugenia. The daily visits from Dr. Perkins turned into weekly, then monthly. Everyone at Sussex Place wondered how Eugenia could survive. Although her youthful looks and coloring diminished, her vital signs held strong. The weeks slipped into months and suddenly a year had passed.

Still Eugenia slept.

Lady Christine had been the center of Eugenia’s life. From the time she was born a special bond developed between them. There weren’t any other children on the 300 acre estate, so Eugenia became her mother’s shadow in her early years. Their laughter echoed through the halls as they romped and played games of hide and seek or catch me if you can. When she grew older, Christine read to Eugenia for hours.