Heroine Interview from Mission of Hope by Allie Pleiter

» Posted on Aug 12, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Heroine Interview from Mission of Hope by Allie Pleiter


This week I’m hosting Lenora Worth with Mission: Bodyguard, Allie Pleiter with Mission of Hope and Liz Johnson with Vanishing Act. If you want to enter the drawings, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (August 15th) evening.

Heroine Interview for Mission of Hope by Allie Pleiter:

1. Nora, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’ve survived the great San Francisco earthquake and fires. Actually, my whole family survived, which is astounding when you consider the fact that our house was completely destroyed. Still, that’s the troubling thing about all this. There’s no rhyme or reason to who lost what. My Aunt’s house is still standing, but her daughter, my dear cousin Annette, died in the disaster.

2.What do you do for fun?
There isn’t much fun to be had these days. It takes all our energy to merely get by. Still, some have it far worse than us. It’s hardest on the children, I think. So much destruction around them. I came across a young man who built them a teeter-totter of sorts out of whatever rubble he could find, and it was such a joyful thing to see. I thought that man was very clever–and very compassionate to those children who needed a plaything so desperately.

3.What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I’m not sure I dread anything anymore. To have survived this, what could you dread? But I do think some things will never be the same, ever. That’s a frightening prospect, but also a bit exhilarating at the same time. How will the city rebuild itself? Where will our lives go from here? I suppose I dread we won’t realize what an important time this is and how the choices we make now will impact us for years to come.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
The nightmares, actually. I keep hearing the horrid sounds of the earthquake, the choking scent of the smoke. I’ll never forget how the ground surged and rolled–not as long as I live. I’m afraid I’ll never get over it. Lots of people have the same fear. You hear them talk about it all time. Or worse yet, not talk about it at all.

5. What do you want out of life?
I want to make the life that’s been spared for me count for something. Surely I survived for some good purpose–I just wish I knew what it was. I want to do something important, something that will help me know why I’m still here. I’ve prayed to know this, and I feel like I’m coming to almost see it, but not just yet.

6.What is the most important thing to you?
It’s funny, my answer would have been so much different before the disaster. I’d have named a list of things that are gone now. Things I hardly miss at all. It’s the people who matter most to me now. Mama and Papa and my poor grieving Aunt and Uncle. But there are other people who need help, too. Everyone matters, only not everyone thinks that way these days. I don’t like the way people are talking about the refugees in the unofficial camps. It’s not their fault they’re there. Why must we divide victims like this? It seems senseless and not at all how people of faith should act.

7.Do you read?
If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
There aren’t many books to be had, what with the fires and all. Paper’s a luxury now. I loved adventure stories, but I fear it will be along time before I have the chance to read a book again.

8.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d be bold like my cousin Annette was. Of course, it was always getting her into trouble, but she had grand adventures. I don’t want to sit at home and pretend life is going to go back to the way it was. I want to be bold enough to help those people who need my help–even if it means doing things I’ve never done before.

9.Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No pets, and that’s a blessing these days. So many people are heartbroken over the loss of their dear pets. It’s so sad to see.

10.If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to medieval England. Knights in shining armor, damsels with champions, quests and honor and chivalry–it all seems like such a rich time to be alive. Mostly, I’d love to travel forward in time and see what San Francisco looks like when she recovers. I’d like to think I would be amazed!