My condition was grave when I started practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism. I had had 14 surgeries on my spine. During my last surgery, my husband died and my daughter deteriorated from AIDS. Then I spent a year in a body brace, before learning to walk all over again.

My daughter-in-law convinced me to chant. I showed such improvement that my daughter also began chanting and received the Gohonzon.

I received abundant actual proof, but, as time passed, I began to find faults with my leaders. When the priesthood issue surfaced, it served as the final straw that pushed me away from the SGI. Some others who had also left, convinced me to return my Gohonzon and join the Minobu Sect. I received a photo copy of the Minobu Sect Gohonzon.

I convinced myself that I would be all right, but this was not the case. My health deteriorated and my finances dwindled. The SGI members never gave up on me. When I had no hope and thought that I was going to die, I called an SGI member who came right over and helped me, never questioning me about leaving the SGI.

I went to her wedding where I felt the warmth and concern of the members, it was like returning to a wonderland.

One day I collapsed. The doctor recommended another back surgery. The week before the surgery, Rev. Narita, a priest who left the Nikken sect, came to Miami for a meeting. I convinced my doctor to allow me to go to this meeting.

When I saw all the members I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. I met afterward with Rev. Narita. He asked if I would exchanged the Minobu scroll. I said "Yes, I will." He hugged me, not knowing of my pain and said "The past is the past. From this day on a new joy is starting." I exchanged the Minobu scroll. After chanting for a short while I realized the pain was gone.

On my next doctor's visit, every test showed improvement. The doctors and nurses could not believe how good I looked or how happy I was.

It took fifty-three years to find the correct practice. It took sixty years to take a good look at myself and stop blaming others. I have never been as happy as I am today. To those who left the SGI, I can only say "Come home before your fortune runs out."