The sidewalks were sizzling
as the temperature climbed
above one hundred
People flooded
to ice cream parlors…..
movie theatres….and the library
to find relief from the heat
I had just pushed the down button
on the elevator at Koelbel library
when a woman in her seventies
entered the front door
She was assisted by a younger
lady who seemed to be her daughter
The daughter held on to her arm
as mom tried to steer her walker
towards the new non-fiction section
The woman was stooped
to such a degree
that it seemed as if
she could be reaching
for a lost coin on the carpet
When she tried to make a right turn towards the librarian’s desk….
she nearly fell to the floor
Her groan made me shudder…..
it made me realize that….
for her….there was no escape…..
no relief from the burden she carried every day
When I was leaving, this brave soul
was sitting more comfortably in a
chair near the check out stand
I was mindful of her courage
and how difficult each day must be….
betrayed by a back
that won’t cooperate
The image came to me
of how bent and broken
Our Lord was as He was marched
to the cross….
how He stumbled and Simon
helped him up
I pray for the lady at the library….
that He’s with her
Each step of the way….
Every step…..every day.
What You’re Saying