San Francisco by Sara Fryd

A sign of the times

What sign is that, I ask myself?

That America is in trouble?

That our veterans have no place to live?

That a roof over one’s head is not a necessity

For a Marine?

Who fought [...]]]> He spits in his rag, washes my car window

San Francisco by Sara Fryd

A sign of the times

What sign is that, I ask myself?

That America is in trouble?

That our veterans have no place to live?

That a roof over one’s head is not a necessity

For a Marine?

Who fought for our security and more?  Who now

Sleeps on the ground next to his wheel chair.

Since he has no other place to sleep

Except the grass beneath his sleeping bag.

Roll up a $20 bill and gently place it in his palm

His fingers close around it.

His eyes remain closed, his breathing slows.

I turn my eyes to the cerulean sky recalling

I have no job, nor means of support…

Still…

I have $20, a roof over my head, food in my fridge

And there but for the grace of God… 

Go I…

All rights reserved.  ©2009 by Sara Fryd

A very religious man who had followed God’s commandments his whole life found himself living in a house on the banks of a river that was rising.  It was raining hard and all predictions [...]]]> *It is noted I did NOT write this story.  I’ve heard many variations, nevertheless it is still a great story.

A very religious man who had followed God’s commandments his whole life found himself living in a house on the banks of a river that was rising.  It was raining hard and all predictions were for bad flooding.  The banks of the river were rising and coming into his home.  The water was gushing in quickly.  

He thought I will be all right “God will save me.”     

First the town’s fire truck came for him.  His friend the fire chief called, “Bob, come on climb aboard.  It’s rising fast, we need to evacuate everyone.  Hurry up, Bob!” 

“No, no”, he said, “I will be all right God will save me.”  

Next the Coast Guard boat came for him.  “Come on, climb aboard.  It’s rising fast, we need to evacuate everyone.  Hurry up, Bob!” 

“No, no”, he said, “I will be all right God will save me.”  

Then Bob was on the roof of his house, when a helicopter came for him dropping the basket down and he refused to climb in saying, “That’s okay, I’ll wait here.  God will save me.” 

Bob dies drowning as the water is now higher than the roof and when he gets to heaven he gets really mad and says to God, “I was a good man my whole life, a good religious man.  How then could you let me drown like that?”

God smiles and responds, “What do you mean?  I sent you a fire truck, a boat, and a helicopter.  We all couldn’t get you to leave your house.”