Mulberry Park

Judy Duarte

In the San Diego suburb of Fairbrook, past Applewood Drive and up First Street, lies Mulberry Park, a peaceful haven for locals from all walks of life. And at the center of its lush green lawn grows a massive mulberry tree—tall enough to take a most precious wish as high as it can go, and to open a few hearts along the way...Each day after work, Claire Harper drives to Mulberry Park and jogs for miles, hoping to find a respite from her sadness. It's futile, until the evening a letter falls from its hiding place in a nearby tree. Inside the bright pink envelope emblazoned with the words "To God From Analisa," is a note written by a seven-year-old girl, urging God to look after her parents in Heaven and help those she loves on Earth. On impulse, Claire writes back, hoping to preserve Analisa's innocent belief in answered prayers—even if Claire lost her own faith...Gradually, Analisa's letters draw Claire out of her cocoon and into the companionship of other Mulberry Park regulars—all, in their own way, in need of comfort. As friendships grow, each will discover just how far one simple letter can reach..."An uplifting story about one little girl's unflinching faith and how she extends an open and loving hand to the broken people around her, bringing them close to each other and back into God's gentle embrace." —Cathy Lamb, author of Henry's Sisters