A Child's Journey

It was Christmas eve, the night was approaching and I was hungry and alone. It was time to sleep. I laid down on the floor of the hard concrete manger, my body barely shielded from the blustery winter winds. The snow was lightly falling- at least it wasn't to cold to snow. I closed my eyes as tight as I could and tried to forget where I was.

As drowsiness came, I began to travel in my mind's eye and saw myself rising upwards to heaven. Passing through the clouds, I saw the stars, endless and beautiful, spiraling quickly downward as I ascended, higher and higher.

Finally I found myself in God's presence. His smile was the most beautiful and inviting I had ever known. His eyes were watery diamonds of pure love. He hugged me as a father would hug a son, and cradled me in His arms. I cried joyful tears and was unafraid. But after a time, the stars started sinking back and I returned to my cold Earthly abode. Shivering, I folded my body for warmth and slumbered to peaceful dreams.

The morning came slowly as warmth and light returned. There was a peaceful silence all around me and the winds were gentler. The ground was softly covered with snow and the sun was glimmering through the clouds. Soon Spring would come and the perfume of brilliant flowers and sweet grass would again fill the air. And on that Christmas Day, I was alone- yet not alone, for the Father would always be with me.

Of all the needs (there are none imaginary) a lonely child has, the one that must be satisfied, if there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaking need for an unshakable God...- Maya Angelou, from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

May the Wings of Life (Holy-Spirit, God of all creations, Our Mother/Our Father in Heaven) protect every youth wherever they are; especially those most in need of love and understanding.- Alexey Ilyushin Berardi