Thursday, September 22, 2011

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.

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