Love and Remembrance
by
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".. .almost as if you have become a Nun, retreating from the secular world of the living to be a bride of the Holy Spirit." [Pause; then tone of sarcasm.] "Well, that’s an interesting way of putting it. I never quite – [Pause.] I’ll have to give that concept some thought." [Silence.] "I ask you again Miss Jacobs. Tell me, please, why have you decided never to remove this ring for the remainder of your life." "Because Harry Gault is the one man, the ONLY man I loved before, am in love with now, and will ever love. Now and Forever. Truly, madly, deeply. [Pause.] I trust that answers your question, Dr. Levy." [Silence.] "Miss Jacobs, I have told you more than once that I have not seen any indications in your behavior that lead me to believe you have problems of a serious mental disorder, and that sometimes I believe you would rather be diagnosed as such rather than deal with the possibility of the validity of your unusual experiences. However, now I am wondering whether it is possible that, because of your unfortunate childhood, you feel so unworthy of receiving love, that you would shun it from a living human being thereby risking rejection, and would prefer to indulge yourself in this inter-dimensional love relationship which theoretically can continue forever. "Furthermore, I am wondering whether you feel yourself so unworthy of love that you would prefer risking a diagnosis of mental illness rather than surrender this relationship with a man who is deceased." [Silence. When voice resumes, tone softer.] "Perhaps what you are saying is true, Dr. Levy. I don’t know. That’s why I came for your help in the first place – to find out what meaning all this has in my life. [Pause.] But please, let me tell you about this other related experience, after which you can consider whether or not I have a problem of mental instability. I will accept your judgment, whatever it is." "Yes, Miss Jacobs." [Pause.] "I had told you how, when I saw the film ‘Lili’ again after learning of Harry’s death, I realized this ring was irrevocably associated with him in my mind and heart." "Yes. I remember." "And I told you that I had another psychic experience that made me realize I was to wear this ring for the rest of my life here on earth." "Yes. I remember that, as well." "So now I’ll tell you about that experience."
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About the Book
In 1999, Shoshannah Levy-Goldstein, a young naturopathic physician, finds a box that belonged to her Grandfather, Dr. Eliahu Levy, a distinguished psychiatrist who escaped from Germany shortly before the Second World War. The box contains the file of his therapeutic sessions with one patient, Sophie Jacobs. Contrary to professional ethics, Dr. Levy failed to destroy this file when he closed his practice, as he believed it would be of scientific value in the future because of its documentation and analysis of the paranormal. After reviewing the file, Shoshannah reaches the same conclusion. She transcribes the sessions into book form, divided into "tapes" and "notes." The tapes explore the paranormal phenomena discussed by the patient (Sophie) and the Notes reveal the Doctor's evaluation of their validity. Shoshannah’s editorial footnotes, which appear throughout, also provide insight into Levy family dynamics, as well as explanatory information. The title is derived from Sophie's remembrance of the love she felt for Harry, now deceased, who has returned as a Spirit, to refresh her memory and to ease his own pain, much of which is associated with combat duty in the Second World War. Listening to Sophie describe the paranormal phenomena she has experienced, Dr. Levy finds his own memories of the War revived. The book concludes with an episode in which the lives of the major characters are woven together for the resolution of past traumatic events.
About the Author
D. Jovanovic is a musician and retired psychiatric social worker, with an intense interest in the personalized history of the Second World War, and an active involvement in programs for veterans of that conflict. Metaphysical subjects also intrigue Jovanovic, particularly the investigation of paranormal phenomena.