Hush Child, Do Not Be Afraid

My hand slipped from her grasp

To those who are feeling lost,

My hand slipped from her grasp as we passed a department store on a crowded city street. A mosaics of televisions were flashing moving pictures through a store window. I could not resist. I could not help myself.

Time stood still. I was transfixed. My four-year-old self in awe of the tiny people dancing inside those iridescent boxes.

I cannot be sure how long I stood there for, perhaps it was only a few seconds but after a moment I became aware of something utterly terrible…

My mother was GONE. For the first time in my short life I was alone in a crowded space.

Instant anxiety. A sense of panic and dread as I tore through the crowd of people hustling down that busy city street. She was wearing a bright blue dress. I could see no blue dresses.

Flash forward just for a second to this present day: To the main streets of America and other big cities around the world and you will find the same feeling and the same sense of panic and dread. The thing we trusted most has apparently abandoned us. The world is dangerous. It is moving too fast. We feel alone and unable to keep up.

Where is she, the one we are looking for?

Back in my story: I finally saw that beautiful blue dress, like a mirage in the distance, sparkling and radiating with hope. I chase after hope, I reach up for it. I tug on the silky blue dress and then “she” turns around and looks down at me…