Safeway at Six

Today was the day I had promised the kids we would have our "Marble Party". Marbles are put in a small clear box for all kinds of good behaviors. The jar had been filled up and today was the reward day. They had voted for wearing PJ's, having floats and sundaes, and playing board games. So that's what put me in the neighborhood Safeway early in the morning to buy pop and ice cream.
Having accomplished that, I stopped in the card aisle to try to find one I "needed". I had just slowed down my cart, not even stopped, when an old man held up a card with a picture of a jackass on it and said, "Should I buy this for my sister?" Somewhat taken aback I raised my eyebrows and slowly responded, "Well, I guess that depends on how you feel about your sister." He chuckled and said, "I have a donkey, and she buys me cards with donkeys all the time." "Ah..." says I.
Obviously interpreting my one syllable as a signal to go ahead he says, "My sister is 76. She is the youngest, she just had hip replacement. She's kind of old for it."
I answered rhetorically, "Mmmm, well, it's a constant challenge to keep these old bodies going, isn't it."
"Yep", says he, "she's been alone now for a year."
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry." I say as I continue my gradual sideways retreat down the aisle.
"She was married 40 years. Happy, I guess."
"Ah, nice." I mutter, getting inches away with each exchange.
"Now me... I had 55 years of pure hell. Locked in a prison. Yep, in a prison."
Now I am truly uncomfortable, I have honestly tried to be as compassionate to this stranger as possible. I have seen him as enhungered and tried to respond in a Christlike fashion. The best I could manage at this point was, "Well, um, life is interesting, huh?"
He turned his wizened face to me; and I see his broken teeth and greasy hair, his dirty clothes and shabby shoes, and he looks me in the eye and says, in barely a whisper, "She's been gone five years. I'd give all I own just to have one more day in prison."
Through the tears in our eyes, we looked at each other and smiled.
"You have a good day," I say, "I think you should get the donkey for your sister."

One Last Look Back

Christmas was awesome. It just keeps getting better. I'm thinking this is part of what is meant by "...joy in your posterity". I love these guys!! Yeah, I was there, can't you see me? I'm the one behind the camera.