Editor’s note – Polina is a Russian friend who lived with her family in Ottawa for a time before returning to central Asia.
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I remember the moment so vividly, as if it happened yesterday. I was walking along a busy street in Ottawa on a sunny September day when, suddenly, I received a phone call from Victoria Fausto from the Madonna House Publications department.
The noise of the cars and the street was deafening, but I managed to hear that Victoria was offering me the opportunity to illustrate a children’s book written by MH staff member Echo Lewis. To say that it was unexpected is to say nothing.
I had never illustrated anything in my life and, when painting, was especially afraid of human faces, which always hold a mystery. I would need to do illustrations of a kind, elderly woman, several children from various cultural backgrounds, and other characters. My first thought was that Victoria was taking a risk since I was far from being a professional.
But my Russian heart loves to plunge into new and unexplored waters and to embrace decisions that come from the heart and intuition rather than cold, weighed logic. So I said yes right away. That’s how this beautiful ten-month adventure began.
The next step was to read the book. Being raised on Russian fairy tales (and these are the books with the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever seen!) and Russian classical literature, I was surprised by the story. An elderly woman and her young friends in the neighborhood (the Basement Brigade), while preparing for a Christmas party, effect the transformation of a cold-hearted storekeeper.
It seemed simple at first sight, but I remember thinking that only a person with the heart of a child could write something like this. To create these characters and weave so many details into the fabric of the narrative for children required thinking outside the box.
Words seemed to hold a mystery — I was puzzled even by the title. The Wagon Lady? “Wagon,” like, in what, a train? The Basement Brigade? “Brigade,” like in the Soviet reality of work? And why “Basement?” The Christmas Parade? Maybe my command of English was failing me?
Then the work started. I began to correspond with Echo, who from the first email was very welcoming, warm, and open to new ideas. I was touched by the gentleness of her heart. As I was doing the sketch of the Wagon Lady (who was inspired by Catherine Doherty), she delicately explained that she didn’t want the resemblance to be too close, so we corrected the sketch a few times.
Every time, she chose her words so carefully. She patiently explained what a basement apartment was, since in my reality, on the other side of the world, there was no such thing.
I also discovered that Echo, though gentle at heart, was very decisive and direct when it was necessary. As we were discussing the back cover and her short bio, I tried to persuade her that there shouldn’t be my bio there, just hers. Her response was clear and non-negotiable:
I feel very strongly that there should either be no mention of author and illustrator on the back, or both should be mentioned. Never in a picture book does one mention only the author and not the illustrator. They both need to get acknowledged at the same time. You’ve grown up in a beautiful tradition, and I can see where you’re coming from. If I were Alexander Pushkin, I could see where he would deserve the most acknowledgement. Catherine used to say that Pushkin was Russia. Here in the West, though, both the words and the illustrations have equal value in a picture book.
So I gave up trying to persuade Echo!
I’m still amazed at how quickly my communication with Echo became warm and personal instead of being just about work. At the beginning of December, she mailed us signed copies of her two favorites among the books she had written for children. I was deeply touched by this sharing from the heart.
In March, Echo wrote about the pain in her back. She thought it was because she had fallen and was hoping to recover in a couple of weeks:
Today the physical therapist said that the acute stage should only last another seven days, and then, over the next three weeks, I should start moving back into a more normal situation. So there’s hope for the future.
But the pain never left. At some point, Echo called and said that she had to be in bed because of the pain. However, she never complained and just said that this project gave her so much joy and inspiration that she was spending her time thinking about the next book about the Wagon Lady and the Basement Brigade. She wrote:
In the back of my mind, I wonder if maybe sometime when this project is all finished, we can work on something else together. That would be a great gift. It would be fun, wouldn’t it, if we were able to do a sequel? The good news is that wherever you are, we can still work long distance like this. All things in God’s hands.
Despite the physical trials, which she called “the trials through which we triumph” (Romans 8:35–37), Echo was full of life and hope for the future:
Somehow, I still have the thought that we will meet one day, and it will be a beautiful occasion. The Lord is leading us all, and who knows what miracles lie ahead? The other side of the world isn’t really so far away in this age of jets — as long as one gets a good sleep at the other end!
The work progressed. We finished the illustrations and the layout by Easter but continued to make changes until July. The book was sent to the printers. After so much work, the long-awaited day was nearing. We were all so excited about it.
The news of Echo’s death came as a shock to me. We had corresponded just a couple of weeks before, finishing the last small change to the book. She said that her back was still very painful, but she finished her letter with these words: The Lord is taking care of us all. How good he is! This was her surrender to Lady Pain while praising the goodness of God despite the suffering.
This article is an opportunity for me, dear Echo, to thank you for the gift of your gentle, childlike heart and the warmth of your friendship. I, too, so much hoped that we would meet one day and celebrate your wonderful book. Your passing is a loss, but I’m also rejoicing because I know that you’re watching over us all and interceding before the Lord. As you said, we’ll surely be together in spirit.
When I finished illustrating half of the book, you wrote:
Congratulations on reaching the halfway mark! If I were in Ottawa, I’d bring over a pizza or something and we could celebrate the milestone. As it is, I celebrate you from here!
When the book is published, Echo, I’ll get a pepperoni pizza and celebrate with gratitude and love in my heart, united with you in spirit! As MH member Cathy Mitchell beautifully wrote after Echo died, “I’m sure Echo went running into his arms … at the head of the Basement Brigade!” I think so too, Echo!
Rest in the Lord’s arms after praising him with your life. And may The Wagon Lady and the Basement Brigade in the Grand and Glorious Christmas Parade bring joy to many hearts.
This book may be purchased (special Christmas sale for $12) from madonnahouse.org/store.
