Kelly's Search for Family, page 10
Granny said, “Why don’t you all come to the supper table, and then we can visit.”
Kelly felt impatient until everyone was busy eating Granny’s delicious clam chowder, and Papa could finally talk again.
“It sounded like you had a lot of excitement here,” Papa began. “Why don’t you tell me your story first, Kelly?”
“Oh no, Papa!” exclaimed Kelly. “I want to know what happened to you.”
So Papa began. “The Blackburn brothers insisted I give them back the ring I had given their sister when I asked her to marry me. I made them believe I kept the ring in a bank in Pennsylvania. I didn’t, but wanted to get them away from you, Kelly. I hoped I might get a chance to escape. When we got close to Pennsylvania, we got into a really bad storm. I finally persuaded them to untie me, so I could help them row.
“I did help them row and possibly saved all of our lives. But as we got closer to shore, I said a prayer and dove in. I thought I’d rather take my chance on the ocean than with them. That’s all I remember until I woke up at your Aunt Shelly’s boarding house, Kelly.
“They told me a fisherman pulled me out of the ocean and took me to the local doctor. The doctor had two of the Blackburn brothers in his small infirmary. As soon as he saw the bruises the ropes had left on my wrists, he became suspicious and had me moved to the boarding house with strict orders not to let anyone know I was there. He said the Blackburn brothers weren’t there for more than five minutes until he knew without a doubt they were not the victims. He contacted the local sheriff, but without revealing my presence, they had no reason to hold them. I was still unconscious.
“Shelly nursed me back to health. I didn’t realize she was your aunt until Homer Becker showed up. He and Shelly knew each other, so it was only a matter of time until we started making connections.”
“Homer! So Homer found you?” asked Kelly. “Where is Homer now?”
Papa and Aunt Shelly shared a smile, and then Papa said, “Homer wasn’t there very long before he fell in love with Shelly’s only other boarder. Mary Ann was a widowed school teacher with three boys. Seth is eight, Eric seven, and Johnny five. After school let out, I usually had plenty of little entertainers.
“By the time I was well enough to travel, I knew I couldn’t leave without your Aunt Shelly, Kelly. So I married her and adopted her children. The same day Homer married Mary Ann. He also adopted her three boys.”
“Where is Homer now?” asked Kelly. “Did he stay in Pennsylvania?”
“No,” Papa replied. “He is in Stone Haven. He wanted to give us some time before he brings his family to meet all of you.”
A whimper from Lori Ann drew everyone’s attention. Her head was nodding face-first into her soup bowl, as she struggled to stay awake. Papa chuckled, as he lifted her onto his lap. Aunt Shelly rose to get a washcloth, but Granny beat her to it.
After the children were tucked into bed, Kelly told Papa what had happened since he left. When she got to the part about Grandpa John showing up, she remembered Aunt Shelly’s letter from her father’s brother, Louis. She hurried to get it and handed it to her new mama.
“We had plans to marry,” explained Aunt Shelly. “But he never returned from the war.” After reading the letter, she wiped a few tears, as she handed it to Papa to read.
Papa read the letter and then returned it to the Bible. Kelly continued with her story, ending with what all they found in her baby quilt.
“So you found my ring?” Papa’s eyes twinkled.
“You put that ring in that Granny didn’t recognize? That’s your ring?”
“It was my mama’s. You didn’t know I could quilt, did you?” Papa smiled. “Your grandma said to never lose the quilt, so I was suspicious she hid things inside. That gave me the idea for my own hiding place.”
Kelly hurried to get the ring. Papa took it and knelt in front of Aunt Shelly. “May I have your hand?”
Kelly’s new mama laughed. “We are already married, Lester Nelson. I don’t need a ring.”
Papa slipped the ring on her finger. “It was my mama’s ring, and I want you to have it.”
“I will wear it proudly,” said Mama. “But someday, it will be Kelly’s ring.”
Kelly smiled as the ring sparkled from her new mama’s hand. She sighed happily.
Papa heard the sigh and raised his eyebrows.
Kelly explained, “It is all so perfect. You are home. I not only have a mama for the first time ever that I can remember, I also have adorable twin brothers and a darling sister. Granny and her husband finally found each other and are part of our family. Even lonely Homer has a family. God’s plans were much better than I ever thought possible.”
“God is good,” agreed Grandpa John. “And Granny and I are honored to be part of your family, Kelly.”
Discussion Questions
CHAPTER 1
Kelly’s father is a lighthouse keeper. What do you think are some of the challenges of this job?
Kelly has to go to school just like you do. What are some similarities and some differences to Kelly’s schooling from yours?
Kelly and her father live by themselves, but there is mention of Kelly’s mother. What do you think happened to her?
Kelly prays that her father will tell her the truth for her birthday. Why do you think he hasn’t told her the truth? Do you ever think that it’s okay to hold back the truth? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 2
Kelly obviously has a talent for quilting. Is there something that you’re good at doing, or is there something that you want to learn how to do?
Kelly has a baby blanket and dress from when she was an infant. Do you have anything special from when you were a baby? Why are they special?
We finally get to meet Kelly’s best friend, Becky. Do you have a best friend?
Why do you think Kelly is so excited to hear about her mama? Is there anything about your family that you want to know?
CHAPTER 3
Papa talks about being a blockade runner during the Civil War. What do you think that job was?
Why was the boy hiding out in the cave? Would you have helped him?
How was Papa an answer to the slaves’ prayers? Have you ever done something that you knew was right, even though it was unpopular or dangerous? Would you?
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” How did Kelly’s mama and grandma demonstrate this verse? How about her biological father? Do you think you could give your life for someone else?
CHAPTER 4
Papa gives Kelly some very specific instructions that she does not want to obey. Have your parents ever told you to do something that you shouldn’t do? What do you think would have happened if Kelly had disobeyed? Why should you obey?
When Kelly wakes up, Papa has still not returned. What would you do if you were Kelly?
Kelly still has chores to do, even with Papa gone. What kind of chores does she need to tend to? What kind of chores do you have? Are they anything like Kelly’s?
Kelly finds something special hidden inside her baby quilt. Have you ever thought about a special place to hide a treasure? Where would you hide it?
CHAPTER 5
When Kelly is worried, the first thing everyone assures her they will do is pray. Do you think that prayer really helps? Why or why not?
Kelly obviously has a very special relationship with Granny. Do you have any family members or friends who are special to you? What can you do to show them how much they mean to you?
Homer Becker allowed bitterness and hate to grow in his heart until it took over his mind. The Bible warns to be careful that no “‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Heb. 12:15). How did his bitterness cause others to be defiled?
Homer was obviously a hateful slave owner. But do you think it was okay for anyone to own slaves—even if they were nice to them? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 6
Granny was very brave in her actions. What would you have done if you found yourself suddenly in danger?
Why was it important for Kelly to keep lighting the lantern in the lighthouse? Can you imagine carrying the buckets of oil up 78 stairs?!
Granny says that they live in a “free state.” What do you think that means? Why would that be important to slaves?
Do you think it was right for the lady to treat her “employees” that way? What would you do if someone treated you that way? How should we treat one another?
CHAPTER 7
Instead of screaming and crying when Granny was in danger of dying by fire, what did she do? Can you think of a story in the Bible where someone was in danger of being burned alive but was rescued through prayer? What would you do if you found yourself trapped like this?
When the women had a chance to escape, they turned around to help the men who were falling behind. What would you do if you had a chance to escape danger? Would you stop to help someone else?
The Bible tells us to love our enemies, but Kelly doesn’t want to pray for the man who shot her mama. What do you think she should do? Do you think that it’s fair for Jesus to ask us to love our enemies? Why or why not?
What do you think a fog horn is used for? Why was it important for Kelly to start it in a snow storm?
CHAPTER 8
Why do you think Kelly couldn’t stop screaming? What would you have done?
What do you think sharecropping is? Have you ever heard that word before?
Do you think Homer has really changed? Is it possible for someone who has done evil to be saved?
Why do they have to leave the lighthouse? Why do you think they aren’t safe there?
CHAPTER 9
Why does Kelly want to stay? Do you think her job is important? Why or why not?
Kelly’s chores seem to revolve mostly around the animals. Would you like to have a lot of animals to care for or would you rather work on something else?
Kelly whispers a prayer of thanks for good friends. Why do you think good friends are important? Who are your good friends?
Do you think it was wise for Kelly to go out in the storm? Could she have done something differently?
CHAPTER 10
Kelly and Granny are preparing for a hurricane to come. What are some of the ways they prepare? What are some things you could do to prepare for an emergency?
How did Kelly know when to start the fog horn? Was it important for her to do that?
What was Tulip up to? Have you ever seen anything like that before?
What was so special about the ring? Every month has a special stone. Do you know what your birthstone is?
CHAPTER 11
Where does Granny say is the best place to hide something? Where would you hide something?
Granny talks about a family tree that was torn out of a Bible. Do you know what a family tree is? What does yours look like?
What did Kelly’s grandmother do to protect the papers inside the quilt? Do you think there are other ways that you can protect something from getting wet?
How often does Kelly pray? Do you think that it’s okay to pray if you aren’t bowing your head and closing your eyes? Why or why not?
CHAPTER 12
Who was in the black sloop? What do you do when someone you don’t know comes to your door?
What were the men looking for? Do you think Kelly should have kept hiding or come out and given them what they wanted?
Why did Kelly insist on lighting the light—even though they were trying to stay hidden? Would you risk giving up your hiding place if you needed to help someone else from getting hurt?
Instead of allowing herself to be scared, Kelly trusts in Jesus to protect her. When you are worried or scared, do you trust in Jesus to take care of you? Do you believe He will?
CHAPTER 13
What makes Granny worry so much? What do you think she is remembering? Have you ever let something from your past make you afraid of doing something now?
Do you know that verse from Proverbs? What do you think it means? How can you live out that verse?
Who were all the men who came to the island? Are they good or bad?
Granny is convinced that Homer has changed. What do you think? Is he good or bad now? Will he help them?
CHAPTER 14
Kelly is really good at thinking on her feet. When she is in trouble, she seems to always find a solution. What are some things you can do when you’re in trouble?
How did God answer Kelly’s prayer to help them? Do you believe God will help you when you’re in trouble?
The men who caused all the trouble have been caught. What do you think is a fair punishment for them?
Do you think that Kelly was right in how she handled things, or do you think she should have listened to Granny? Why?
CHAPTER 15
Kelly is very good at keeping the ring hidden. Do you have anything that’s special to you that you like to keep hidden from others?
How is Tulip a hero cat? Do you have any animals that have helped you?
An heirloom is something that is handed down from one generation in a family to another. Do you have any heirlooms? What would you find valuable enough to leave for your children and grandchildren?
Why do you think this ring is so important to the Blackburn brothers?
CHAPTER 16
Tom informs the sheriff that one of his deputies is a traitor. What is a traitor? Has anyone ever betrayed you? Do you know someone who betrayed Jesus?
What do you think instinct is? Do you believe that God speaks to us this way?
Homer says that Kelly’s mom had a heart for the less fortunate. What is something you can do for those who are less fortunate than you?
Someone took Homer in and helped him both physically and spiritually. This sounds a lot like the parable of the Good Samaritan. Can you tell me how they are the same? How can you be a good Samaritan?
CHAPTER 17
How did the sheriff know Longmont was lying? Do you think you could tell if someone was lying to you? What does the Bible say about a liar?
Sometimes, our burdens are lifted when we talk to someone else like Kelly did to Deputy Wright. Is there someone you feel you can share your burdens with?
Even with all the people who have lied to her, Kelly still manages to be able to trust people as well. It’s important to be a person worthy of trust. What can you do to show people you are trustworthy?
Did the danger pass once the snow stopped? What happened?
CHAPTER 18
We have read over and over that Papa’s nickname for Kelly is “Kelly girl.” Do you have a nickname? Why is it special to you?
The children in this book seem to play a major part in making sure things are taken care of and that evil does not win the day. Jesus said that children were important to Him, too. What are some ways that you can contribute as a child/teen?
Kelly has a community of people who want to help her find her papa. Why is community so important?
Kelly continues to be brave by giving up the safety of going with the men in favor of staying to do the job at the lighthouse. She has integrity. Do you think that you have integrity?
CHAPTER 19
Kelly seems to be diligent in making sure her work is done without being reminded. Responsibility is a sign of maturity. Do you think that you are that responsible?
There is a lot of expensive jewelry hidden in the quilt. What is the most expensive piece of jewelry you own? Do you know of a treasure that is worth more than diamonds?
We have now seen two pieces of paper that are sealed with wax. Why do you think they used wax as a seal? Have you ever seen anything sealed that way? Do you think we have better ways to seal things now?
It was common in those days for slaves to be separated from their family members. What would you have done if you were separated from your family?
CHAPTER 20
One of the first things Kelly asks the stranger is if he wants something to drink. That’s part of being hospitable to someone in your home. How can you be hospitable when someone comes to your home?
Homer got word to John by telegram. Do you know what a telegram is? How does it compare to how we communicate today?
Many slaves were not allowed to learn how to read or write. Why do you think this was? Why is it important to learn how to read and write?
Kelly is comforted to hear her mother speak of Jesus in her letter. Why would this provide her comfort? Do you have that same comfort?
CHAPTER 21
Kelly spies a boat that is heading into great danger, but she can’t do anything about it. Have you ever seen someone heading for danger? What have you done about it?
