“Mother told me , that throughout her pregnancy she was filled inwardly with joy. 'Lord,' she prayed repeatedly, 'this first child I give to Thee.'
“Her blessing may not have borne fruit as early as she had hoped. But bear fruit it did, gradually — one might almost say, relentlessly — over the years.
“For mine is the story of one who did his best to live without God, but who — thank God — failed in the attempt.”