ray

Ray,                                      August 1985
   I don't know your real name...but this cloudy afternoon on a sidewalk in the poorest section of our city,
you not only told me your story-you unselfishly gave a "ray" of sunshine to my weary heart. Your words were slow and guarded, but heartfelt just the same...
   Homeless, but not hopeless, you told me and my husband how you'd love to have a real job...a home...and a family. With no social security card, birth certificate, nor proof of identity-no employer could nor would hire your able body and strong hands.
   As you spoke, your weather-beaten face focused its eyes upon mine and never waivered. Clutching what appeared to be your prized possession- a copy of the daily news- you continued to express your optimism.
   In a world, where it appeared all obstacles were stacked against you, your heart spoke of faith and your belief that as long as God allowed the sun to shine another day...you too would shine in this world and be okay.
   " If the sun comes out tomorrow, I know there'll be a way..." With those words, you picked yourself up and walked on...but unknowingly, you had given me a sense of faith and optimism I will never forget.
   Thank you for the reality check...I need to be more grateful for the simple things in my life-but mostly, just for life itself...Bless you, Lisa

*** I came back from points all over the U.S. in 1996, and on one of my darkest days, I was walking with my dogs down the street ...and after all these years, there was "Ray"...Yes, there are angels among us -and yes, the sun did shine another day...***


Angels among us can be found in the most
unlikely places...but for the grace of God...