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The Adversity of a Selfless Soul
Earth provides enough for every man’s need, but not for every man’s greed. Mahatma Gandhi
The parking lot was a vast ocean of lines and cold pavement. Crossing each line was like stepping across white gleaming bones, across the ribs of Dr. Walters first year anatomy class. That was long ago. Now the bones stood out stark and white.
Her steps were hurried, huddled, fluttering strides like a frightened sparrow. Was she frightened? Yes. Was it necessary to be frightened? Yes. Was she frightened for herself? No.
It was cold. The late afternoon air had a bitter bite, a testing reminder of nature’s power. It would be a cold night, she needed to hurry.
Her clothes felt tired and though she was clean, freshly showered, she felt dirty. She would have to leave the clothes in the garage. She would dash through the house in her panties and take a shower again. The clothes could stay in the garage. They would be startlingly cold and unpleasant when she started the four a.m. shift. Was she frightened? Not for herself.
The car’s engine was slow to catch. It wasn’t a newer model, but still faithful and had carried her to work for years, usually without incident. It was reliable, dependable. The old Volkswagen was a relic. It spoke of her freedom, her years of wanting to be of service to others, and…