Introduction

Maria has been at the Abbey for over a year. Still she has difficulty adhering to the rules. She loves God with all her heart; but she is a free spirit. She always feels called to her mountain where she can sing or whistle as she pleases.

Decision

Maria's days as a postulant were numbered and she knew it. Here she was once again up in the hills singing; the walls of the Abbey could not contain her.

As she often did, she lay down in the grass and looked up at the clouds. If one tried, they could imagine all kinds of shapes and sometimes even faces. Today one form had Maria completely mesmerized; she thought she saw the face of God. This face never faded or disappeared even with the blowing of the wind.

The longer she stared; mysteriously these words seemed to find a place in her mind: "My daughter use your love wisely; do not confine yourself to the walls of the Abbey; use it out in the world."

What does this mean, she wondered. Maybe, I shouldn't be a nun. But what would I do? Where would I go?

Then again words from the face in the cloud, "have faith and you will find your path soon."

She ran back to the Abbey. "Sister Marguerite," she called to her.

"What is it Maria?"

"I must talk to the Reverend Mother."

"Why Maria?"

"I was up in the hills and I'm sure I heard God telling me I shouldn't be a nun; I have too much love to share with other people. Can I see her, please?"

"I'll talk to her Maria. Wait here."

Maria paced while Sister Marguerite went to the office of the Mother Abbess.

"Reverend Mother, Maria insists on talking to you right now."

"Is she hurt?"

"No, I think it's best if she explains it to you."

"Very well, send her up."

"You can go up Maria. The Reverend Mother will see you now."

"Maria, what happened?"

"While I was up in the hills again Reverend Mother, singing; I'm sure I heard God speak to me from the clouds."

"What did He tell you?"

"To use my love wisely and not confine myself within the Abbey walls. It was so clear Reverend Mother."

"Maria, God can speak to us anywhere."

"I don't know what to do. I have nowhere to go."

"Maria, you need to carefully consider what you heard. We both need to pray about it. You need to be sure; absolutely positive you want to leave us. And I need to pray for guidance. Today is Tuesday; give yourself until Friday and come back to see me."

"Yes, Reverend Mother, I do want to be sure."

She knelt in the chapel for an hour; not saying any specific prayer; only begging God to show her the way.

Then she moved to the garden and sat looking up at the big cross. A verse from the Bible came to her; Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. And then this short one: As each has received a gift, use it to serve others.

My gifts; she enumerated them in her mind; one – singing, another loving children and the talent of creating for people beautiful items of joy. "But what does it mean?" She spoke out loud. Each day she prayed and thought.

The Reverend Mother also knew Maria's gifts; singing, loving children and her sewing and embroidery. Her first thought was the owner of the local dress shop. She sent her messenger and asked Hazel to come see her.

Before the Reverend Mother could begin, Hazel spoke. "I'm so glad you have always been able to use my client's rejects."

"Yes, one of the new Postulants is an excellent seamstress; I'm sure the poor have enjoyed wearing her creations."

"Hazel, maybe you can help me. Do you have a need for a helper? I know a young woman who sews and does embroidery very well."

"Yes, I do, tell her to come see me."

"I will Hazel, thank you."

The Reverend Mother thought to herself, Maria's gifts of service; she needs to use them also. First, she needs to leave the walls of the Abbey.

Friday arrived and the Reverend Mother went looking for Maria. She found her sitting in the garden. "May I join you?"

"Of course," Maria moved so she could sit beside her. "Have you decided Maria?"

"Yes, Mother, I need to use my gifts and my talents; singing, caring for children and sewing. If I do I believe God will be pleased."

"Yes my child, I believe the same. I want you to move into the guest house for now. I will give you a letter of reference; Hazel the owner of the dress shop in town can use your sewing and embroidery skills. Using your gifts of singing and caring for children will come in time."

"Thank you, Mother that is most kind of you."

Maria had started working for Hazel a few weeks ago. She had finished up a dress for an older girl. The girl's father came into the shop to pick it up.

She heard the gentleman, "I'm Captain von Trapp. I'm here to pick up my daughter's dress."

"Maria, please get the dress for Liesl von Trapp."

"Yes mam,"

"Here it is."

Briefly the Captain and Maria's eyes caught; and each gave the other a smile.

After he gave the dress to Liesl; he remembered the face of the young woman. It seemed to stay with him.

It didn't help him to forget her; he was constantly seeing her. If he wasn't picking up a dress or tailoring for the boys at the tailor shop next door, it was every time he came and went from his office. He would see her and his eyes would gleam again her beautiful face.

One day he spoke to her, "Forgive me Fräulein for not speaking before, but our paths seem to be always crossing. I'm Captain von Trapp; I believe I heard Hazel call you Maria. Is that right Fräulein?"

"Yes sir."

"Are you new to Salzburg? It's only recently that I saw you at the dress shop."

"No Captain, I was living at the Abbey."

"I see. I wanted to tell you, my daughter was most pleased with your work, especially the embroidered roses and Edelweiss."

"Thank you Captain, I love to embroider, I'm glad she liked it. I need to go. Have a good day."

"Good day Fräulein."

Georg chastised himself, "Why are you attracted to her? She's only a few years older than Liesl." But something in his heart told him that didn't matter.

It was Hazel who spoke to Maria. "You know Maria, Captain von Trapp seems to find reasons to come into the shop. He always seems disappointed when you are not in the store front."

"Hazel, he's so much older; he has a sixteen year old daughter."

"Yes, but he's a widower; it's been four years. I think his heart is ready for a new love. I understand he recently broke off his engagement to a Princess."

"A princess Hazel, are you telling me a fairytale?"

"No Maria, she was a distant friend of the family. I think you should be friendly to him. I think you like him."

"He's very nice; very much a gentleman. I've never had a relationship with a man."

"Never Maria, how come?"

"That's a story for another time; I still have another dress to finish for one of the Captain's daughters."

Time went by; Liesl and Friedrich were both going off to college that summer. Friedrich was always advanced in school; he was an exceptional student.

"Father you really need to find someone to help you with the girls." Liesl told him.

Liesl had provided a motherly influence for them but now there was going to be no one. Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper would still be there but she was more like a grandmother to them and the girls were quite active. Even Kurt needed a motherly influence. Louisa was going through her year of change; she was moody.

Georg thought about it. I wonder, would she, Maria, help me. He spoke first to Hazel.

"Does Maria like children?"

"Oh yes Captain, she is a trained teacher."

"Do you think she would work for me this summer? Liesl is going to the University and I need someone to be with my four youngest daughters and my son."

"The dress shop isn't very busy during the summer; I could spare her until fall. Would that help you?"

"Yes it would."

"She's not here right now." Come by tomorrow, she will be here and you can ask her."

Georg went by the dress shop after he had had lunch with friends.

"Fräulein Maria, good afternoon."

"Hello Captain, what brings you here today?"

"May I speak with you?"

She nodded.

"My oldest daughter and son are going to begin the University this summer; I need someone to help with my five other children four girls and a boy. I understand you are a trained teacher, so you must like children. Would you consider living at my villa and helping out?"

"I need to pray about it Captain. May I give you my answer at the end of the week?"

"That's fine Fräulein, good day."

"Good day Captain." Maria waited until he had left the shop.

"Hazel where are you?"

"Right here Maria."

"Did you hear his request?"

"Yes, what are you going to do?"

"I really don't know. I need to pray about it."

Maria not only prayed she went to see the Reverend Mother.