I set down my backpack full of PGRE study books on the couch and walked through the back of the coffee shop, the part full of bookshelves, with notes from the owners marking their favorite stories. I went over to say hi to the group of kids, the owners' grandkids and some other regulars, who were playing hide and seek among the tables piled with books by Buechner, Nouwen, and Lewis.
Aiden, age 8, told me, "I'm freezing you!". He held his arms out straight in front of him, frowning in concentration, clearly zapping magical freezing powers my way. I froze in place, my leg picked up in the air mid-step, my mouth half-open.
Mariza, age 7, told me, "You're invisible!". She waved her arms hazily in my direction, and I crouched below the table nearest me: invisible.
Bridget, age 5, pointed at me but wavered, thinking hard. "You... you..." she smiled with satisfaction as it came to her. "Now you love everybody in the world!".
Without hesitation they all ran to me and gave me hugs.
I am long on staying, I am slow to leave/ especially when it comes to you, my friend.
1 comment:
Wow! What a beautifully wonderfully special moment for you and those precious children! It warms my heart to hear of you playing along and I'm sure as you did, their little faces lit up with delight as they must have thought, "I did it!! She's really frozen...invisible...LOVES EVERYONE IN THE WORLD!!!" God bless you and your special little group of friends sister!
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