Say A Little Prayer

Say A Little Prayer

Sirens wailing past remind

me of our mother’s words—

Say a prayer for whomever

is in the back of that ambulance.

We were young, absorbed in our

playing, or riding in a car on the way

to the lake, or visiting cousins, or

somewhere fun, and she would call

our attention to suffering—it did not

matter whose suffering.  It mattered

that we had a relationship with God. 

Decades later, I still pause, at least

for a quick thought—a moment of

compassion for a stranger passing

by.  God bless whomever is on that

unplanned trip.  It might even be

their last ride.  There, but for the

grace of God. . . There, but for

timing . . .There, but for the fact

that it’s just not your turn yet—

goes someone in an ambulance,

lying alone, or lying next to a

frightened helpless loved one.

So say a little prayer now.