Hillbilly Elegy

Christian duty demanded it. I needed to
forgive, not just for my mother’s sake but
for my own. I should never despair, for
God had a plan.
Mamaw often told a parable: A
young man was sitting at home when a
terrible rainstorm began. Within hours,
the man’s house began to flood, and
someone came to his door offering a ride
to higher ground. The man declined,
saying, “God will take care of me.” A
few hours later, as the waters engulfed
the first floor of the man’s home, a boat
passed by, and the captain offered to
take the man to safety. The man declined,
saying, “God will take care of me.” A
few hours after that, as the man waited