Her name is Lucy. She looked younger than me. Heavier, too. Quite a bit heavier, actually. Which is a good thing here. But I wasn’t jealous.
She had come for help. A stranger.
Someone had told her what we have done for several of the widows and orphans in the area. So she came. A widow of only one year. With a daughter more beautiful than royalty. 5 years old and a smile to charm even the hardest of hearts.
Which I wish I had.
Sometimes.
Would be easier.
I had gone out to speak with her with every intention of telling her that the program is full. It is. Past full, actually. Each night I go to sleep with the weight of those who do not yet have a sponsor for January. January is coming. How can I add someone else? When I haven’t matched all of the ones we already have.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Can I send a stone at Lucy just so I don’t have
to feel her pain?
Can anyone.
Whoever has known more than one partner in his/her life (yep, including the college party at Geoff’s house) can’t. Foolish exposure is a sin of most all. Leaving precious few left for hurling. Out of those who are left - can they throw? They have other ways they have contributed
to the breakdown of mankind.
Without judging, though. Without racism, though. Without ignoring, though. What?
what. Lucy stands there. what. Who loves Lucy?
we could plug back into our ipods.
I told Lucy to pray. She is a Christian. I told her to pray very, very hard. I gave her some money to get her daughter tested, too. She will come with the results in a few days.
We will go from there.
If both are positive, there is medicine & compassion.
If the daughter is negative, there is also a future.
Beyond AIDS.
Or so I pray.

