I was sitting at the post office today, waiting for it to open as a woman with three children walked past.

I sat in my little old car this morning wondering what had happened to the hot sun and sultry temperatures that had swept in upon us almost without warning yesterday. At the time I was slogging along on my bike out on a trail that led along Lake Erie, now clear of ice, the heat seemed stifling and uncomfortable. I hoped that it would encourage my body to adapt what was to come in the next weeks. In my native Oregon, such temperatures would feel just comfortable with the low humidity, but here I wondered how anyone not wearing a bikini and sipping on iced lemonade could survive?

As I sat there, a haggard and thin looking young woman walked by with three tiny children in tow. She looked thin and drawn, while the children looked clean, well dressed, and cared for. Her appearance was such that I wondered if it was merely genetics that gave her that demeanor. Her eyes did not seem to carry the dispair that one in financial distress would likely convey, however.

The youngest, abour 2 years old held mommy's hand and walked along obediently. As they passed out of sight I wondered if I would ever see them again and what if anything I could do to help them. I looked at the hands of my clock, and quickly forgot about them to continue on my way in this world. At the very least, I can wish for God to bless them and show them mercy.

So, was this little excercise in creative writing worth the effort or was it just owing to slight indigestion from bad Tacos?

Much peace

Khadijah