THE HUG

       It has been a while since I've seen him...




       Oh we keep in touch over the phone, I try to

keep him on track

make sure he is ok

offer him a voice to hold on to

        He looks so pale...smaller than I remember

            

          younger than his 22 years...more fragile 

 a little boy about 10 years old

soft brown curly hair

spindly legs like that of a vulnerable unsure colt

                 except for the

tattoos covering his entire body

tender but enduring soft brown eyes

scars on his arms that speak of long ago escapes

        I hand him the card

            "Ok, now,  you can only use this for food, no cigarettes or alcohol"

            As I say it in a half joking way, our eyes meet in a smile

        

            Suddenly he pulls me into a bear hug

               

a real hug

where our selves cling together for dear life

Immediately I feel a rush of 

incredible  

joy 

sadness

hope

love

all at the same time

 unexpected

but

perfect

from

someone I barely know?

But

 I do know him

I know Him well

and He knows me

So we meet them--everyday...

the dying, the cripple, the hurting, 

the unwanted, the unloved

...they are only

Him in disguise

              Mother Teresa

CLINK ON THE LINK BELOW

BY YOUR SIDE TENTH AVENUE NORTH

*photo courtesy of google images-- author unknown