Veracity: July 2013

Sunny, 79 degrees, and a light crisp breeze in the air.

The season went from winter to summer.

Some how spring this year didn't find its

way to this neck of the woods.

Every errand Mom had to do that day was on the opposite side of town.

Between appointments going back and forth, from pick ups and drop offs,

see had encountered

the same 4 way stop, the same intersection, the same turns; right going there, and left coming back.

4 times, in a span of 30 minutes.

While stopped at that intersection,

before she had ever noticed the marquee scrolling the events for the weekend

she noticed the little girl in her long white dress with her white cotton sweater, and the little boy all primed and ready in his blue suit

gingham checked shirt and tie holding mommy's hand.

Both eager to skip across the walk-way as soon as the signal gave way.

A tear instantly fell down her face knowing exactly who those children were.

That one tear instantly turned to hundreds

her eyes now cloudy

panicking

would she clear those tears

before the light turned green and she had to step on the gas and go.

Through all those tears she saw herself 31 years ago.

She was skipping.

She was happy.

She was eager to go across the walk-way.

She was doing what she knew life to be.

She didn't know

people were questioning her where abouts, or why she was in town.

She didn't know

she was different.

She didn't know

the whispers were about her.

She didn't know

the people on the streets passing her by in their cars

didn't know what she knew.

She thought everybody knew.

She thought everybody understood.

She didn't know that she was different.

She didn't know...

With the busyness of the day

daytime quickly turned to evening.

With the oldest daughter out working for the evening

and the other two daughters at a sleep over

they were left with only the two little boys on a Friday evening.

Mom says

"Let's go out to dinner. It won't cost as much we only have two of the kids tonight."

Dad says, "Sure why not."

Dad chooses the restaurant for the evening and they come to yet again

the same 4 way stop, the same intersection, the same turns, right going there, and left coming back.

Mom realizes it will be a long wait in the restaurant, and questions if it's even worth the time and effort.

She realizes; they have all been let out for the day.

As Mom enter's the restaurant with her family

she is surprised by how comfortable she feels.

The feelings of awkwardness are gone.

The feelings of being an outcast are gone.

The feeling of rejection is long gone.

The feeling of unwontedness is a thing of the past.

Mom is wearing a skirt.

They think she is one of them.

They think that she is one that has

been let out for the day.

To yet return tomorrow and the next.

But Mom doesn't have her badge on.

Still

Small hello's are exchanged.

Light friendly gestures are made.

Mom makes small conversation with the lady to the left of her

as each wait for their table to become ready.

Now 20 minutes into the meal.

Dad says: "I wonder how many were there today?"

I say: "7,620!"

Dad says (in shock, amazement, and shear unbelievablenes
(I know that's not even a word) :

"Ah-ha, you pretended to be one of them, when you were talking to that lady!"

I with a smile said;

"I will use what God gave me!"