The Voice of Hope

An unexpected turn of events leads to a prayer of hope

I heard his voice as he entered the ladies' bathroom in the public
library.  Initially, I couldn't make out his age.  A woman spoke with
him in a language I could not discern.  Maybe it was his mother?  But
this did not sound like an infant's voice that I had come to know and
trust as accompanying a nurturing mom whose onus is to guide a child
through the bathroom procedure until the child can manage on their own.
 The child had a more mature voice - yet innocent, confident, concerned
with the task ahead.  Why would an adolescent follow his mom into a
public restroom?  The sound of their conversation came closer and closer
to me until they chose the stall next to mine.  With growing anxiety at
the nature of this turn of events with its inconclusive evidence, I
tried to be progressive and adapt to the thought of gender-neutral
bathrooms.  Then suddenly, it happened.  I looked beneath the wall
separating us and instead of feet against the floor, I saw the legs of a
wheelchair.  I felt humbled.  This was a routine the mother and son
knew well.  I began to pray for forgiveness for having such a heated
debate internally.  Why was I so vexed?  I discovered upon exiting the
stall that the mom was from Pakistan and her 11-year old son was
wheelchair bound.  The minute I saw their struggle my concern shifted
from worry about bathroom protocol to the desire to preserve genuine
dignity in the midst of adversity.  I can only pray for that child who
was in the stall next to mine.  His mom will see his success.  His mom
will support him when he needs help.  And people like me, strangers in
passing can pray for a miracle for the family.  May their burden become
light.  May they be grateful for each day in this life.