Consistent Coals of Kindness

Her stepmother’s hands shook while preparing the meal. Despite ice-cube comments hurled at her over the years and today, Hester wished she could soothe her stepmother’s malady. Later, her palsied hands dropped the butter dish. When Hester bent to help pick up the pieces, she received a jab from a bony elbow. Undaunted, she arose and began drying dishes for her stepmother. Frigid remarks followed, but instead of dueling with demeaning words, Hester accepted an icy insult, admitting the fault pointed out. Her stepmother finally succumbed to consistent coals of kindness, tears flowing, words tumbling out that told the story of her frozen heart, now beginning to melt.