Blind

The continual shuffling of feet accompanied by the occasional bleat of a sheep or bray of a donkey added to the sadness that has plagued my heart since the day of my birth. Tears streaked my cheeks and fell down upon my my tattered and torn tunic. The material, rough and rugged, seemed to irritate me more than normal today. I felt around my hovel for my wooden cain, and finding it, I grasped the worn wood like I have held on to life for the last 18 years.  Struggling to my feet, I shuffled forward, one hand holding the cane in place, the other extended to do what my eye cannot. I brushed past the cloth that partially shielded me from the heat and into the bustling street. I tried to imagine how it all looked . The rolling carts, the yelling venders, all the people moving from here to there, their robes swishing the their haste, the priests, always passing speedley. I could always tell the difference from their footsteps, always so hurried and high-stepped. I walked closer, every step shooting pain up my leg. One more, I thought to myself, my feet moved slowly across the rough ground. Then suddenly my foot caught on something that did not move. I fell forward, I could feel the air rush past me as I descended toward the ground. I laid there, tears streaming down my dusty and dirty face. The ground was hard and cold. I lay there like a dead animal, no one was going to come and save me. I was alone, a reject. While wallowing in my self pity a firm hand grasped my shoulder and pulled me to my feet. Arms rapped around me, holding me tightly and giving me a feeling of security and love that I had never felt before. Warmth spread through my whole body. After a few moments the arms reliced me and then hand were placed on my eyes, wiping away my tears. I opened my eyes and saw a man looking down on me. I felt such a great love and light emanating from his face. I then blinked realizing that I could see. I stared at that loving face and the tears that welled up where not of sorrow, but of joy and immense gratitude. I wrapped my arms around him and in a husky whisper said over and over "Thank you."