Angie’s story captures the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of compassion and forgiveness. Abandoned and alone with newborn twins, Angie didn’t succumb to bitterness. Instead, she found strength in her love for her children, seizing every opportunity to build a better life for them. The kindness of a stranger—the nun who offered her shelter on that rainy night—became a turning point, showing that even in our darkest moments, small acts of generosity can illuminate a new path.
Despite the hurt and betrayal she endured, Angie chose forgiveness over resentment when Jake reappeared in her life. By offering him a second chance, she demonstrated a rare strength and wisdom, reminding us that forgiveness is as much about self-healing as it is about extending grace to others. Angie’s journey from heartbreak to prosperity, and her unwavering compassion, exemplify how true strength often lies in an open heart.
This story shows us that every setback can be the foundation for new beginnings, and that while forgiveness may not erase past pain, it can bring peace and light back into our lives.
This Caribbean Island Is Back From the Brink—and Ready To Share Its Treasures With the World
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The paintings of Italian-born artist Agostino Brunias, who made a profession of depicting the island in subdued, stylized settings that covered up the harsh realities of colonial control, were my first visual introduction to Dominica. However, as soon as I step onto its winding roads, which begin to twist shortly after I arrive, it becomes evident that this region, which is situated in the center of the Lesser Antilles’ curve, is anything but tame. The two-toned leaves of its bois canot trees, which change color from green to white when they sway in the wind, shimmer and bristle with the power of the volcano. It lulls with the erratic sound of its numerous waterfalls, scatters rainbows haphazardly across its breathtaking horizons, and enchants from the depths with its vibrant coral reefs. And it roars come storm season.
The indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica survived invasion by the French and British, who imposed slavery on the Africans who now make up four-fifths of the island’s population and left a linguistic legacy of English and French-based Creole, by mastering the lush tropical rainforest that covers more than 60% of the island. If you visit Trinidad for roti and Jamaica for jerk, you should travel to Dominica for green things like bush rum and flower teas. There are a ton of medicinal herbs in the forest.
The Jungle Bay Dominica resort, located smack dab in the center of the Soufrière jungles, leans into nature instead, maybe realizing the futility of fighting against the earth’s generosity. When I finally get there, the kitchen is closed. Joanne Hilaire, the operations manager, tells me that they never let guests go hungry, though, so I can feel the warmth of Dominica’s welcome. The cook is preparing an excellently stewed dish of beans with taro, rice, and plantain for our late dinner, off the menu, while I have a refreshing ginger-lime cocktail that is a local favorite. When I wake up the following morning, I find that my villa’s doors open onto a private veranda that faces southwest toward Soufrière Bay, where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge. I let the light wake me for the remainder of my stay by leaving my blinds open.
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