| #ffffff;" /> | | | | “Hi, John,” said the voice on the other end. |
| That part of us which seems to know,which seems to | | | | “I’m sorry to bother you at home, but a |
| be so silent and serene, that God-part placed there by | | | | mutual friend gave me your number and said I should |
| our Creator is ever so loving, ever so kind and always | | | | call you. My name is Karman, James Karman. Do you |
| our conscience and our guide. Somehow,I felt safe and | | | | have a moment?” |
| sure of my world at this moment. I wasn’t afraid | | | | “Why, sure,” I responded. “I guess |
| of sequences of events or even consequences. I was | | | | so.” |
| just grateful that a whole New World was opening up | | | | “Could you help me? My friend said that |
| for me as fast as it was. | | | | you’re always willing to help. You see, my son |
| Returning home, the first thing I heard was the phone | | | | lost his job a few months ago. He’s so |
| ringing. These days, I’m reluctant to answer it, | | | | depressed and it breaks my heart to see him suffering |
| much preferring to let the children do so. It’s not | | | | like this. He has a wife and two children. He’s |
| that I dislike phones. There’s a much simpler | | | | been seeking new employment, but with no success. Is |
| reason. Whenever I answer the phone, it usually is for | | | | there anything you can suggest that would |
| one of the children, generally the child at the farthest | | | | help?” The desperation in his voice was obvious. |
| corner of the house. There is a strange game the | | | | But why did he call me? I had no way of helping this |
| children play. Each one waits for the other to answer | | | | man or his son. The pain and hopelessness in his voice |
| the call and, of course, it’s never for the one | | | | reminded me of the time I stood by my own |
| who answers. | | | | wife’s bed, powerless to help her in her pain. |
| This time it was for me. Jonathan handed me the | | | | Perhaps “hell” is watching a loved one |
| receiver. | | | | suffer without being able to lift a finger to help. |
| “Hello,” I said. | | | | |