Modern Screen (Dec 1949 - Nov 1950)

MY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED continued I 1 And for the next few months, I was in a nightmare of pain. I was taken in and out of the hospital several times. One day the doctor said, "Come back on June 19th. We'll take some X-ray pictures to see how your leg is healing." As the time for the X-ray verdict approached, everyone around me became more and more nervous. I was too young and too optimistic to understand their fears. And then the doctor said, "Doris — I might as well be frank. The leg is not healing properly. Of course, there's still hope that everything will be all right — but there's always the possibility that you'll never be able to walk again." I looked at him aghast. For a moment, it seemed worse than a death sentence. All my life I had trained to be a professional dancer. At the time of the accident, having just finished a* vaudeville tour, I seemed well on the way toward success. My mother's hand was warm in mine. My mind formed a prayer: "Please, God — don't let me be a cripple." Then, for more than a year, I was unable to walk. At first I felt bitter about it. But, as I continued my prayers, my mind was flooded with a strange peace. Until this time I'd had only the most childish philosophy. Now groping for an answer to my problem, I came to have the feeling that there must be a deep purpose behind everything that happens. Prayer has many facets. Without it, we are apt to think that we ourselves have to bear the entire burden of tragic events. Prayer is not only a reaching out toward a greater force than ourselves; it reminds us that what happens to us in life is planned by a greater Power, a Power that is able to help us bear our burdens. So I continued to pray that I would be able to adjust myself to whatever happened. I realized that I must accept what had happened and find a way to make this experience mean something in my life. One way was to do something useful with my time. I'd always sung, but never taken singing lessons. Someone told me of Grace Raine, who'd taught Jane Froman and other famous singers. Now I arranged to take lessons from her. Fifteen months elapsed between the time of my accident and the day I took my first step. That was the day when my prayer that I might be saved from becoming a cripple was answered. Meanwhile, those 15 months had seen a change in me from complete bewilderment to a calm accep-, tance of whatever God had in store for me But it was not until several months later that I understood the possible purpose be-l hind what had happened. When I could, walk again, I started to sing on a local radio station. One day Barney Rapp, the band-i leader, heard me and offered me a job with his band. I was on my way to Hollywood Out of pain and anguish came the careenj which has brought me so much happines^ and which has, I hope, brought pleasure to others, too. I never would have thought of developing my voice if it had not been for that near-fatal crash. It may sound Pollyannish to say everything happens for the best, but I believe that from each experience, however difficult and cruel it may seem, we gain something Always, our fate is in greater hands than our own. In answering my prayer, God gave me not only the power to walk again, but the strength to face whatever might happen to me and a philosophy which has comforted me along the way. The Enxi Whether for him or her, Amity Billfolds are distinctive gifts that will be joyfully received proudly owned. Expertly handcrafted of fine leathers, they are skillfully designed for slim nearness, yet roomy and delightfully conveni "Director" and "Directress" Billfolds have 8 famous features including secret currency pocket, spare key pockets, permanent registration against loss, removable transparent card and photo pockets, and others. *AII prices dIus tax. ladies' A/ewlfei&it Billfold. Moroccograined Pigskin, Red or 8 -FEATURE DibeUfl Billfold. Smooth, full, grained Cowhide. Mo MEN'S fold. Spotlit* glared pigtkh