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Dedication

    Hey, everyone. I walked into a Subway sandwich shop. It wasn't crowded, really, but I had to wait in 'line'. As I waited, I noticed a young couple sitting at a table by the window. They had two little boys with them. The lads were probably both under two years of age, but let's say that the oldest was 2 and the younger was only a year old. A nice, young family, out for a bit of supper. I waited and let my gaze and my thoughts drift hither and yon. The bulk of the mountain outside the glass, starting to turn burgundy in spots, an elderly man in the corner, complete with white beard, busily playing with a cellphone which had a fold-out keyboard. His movements and mannerisms so effeminate and precise.
    When my gaze drifted back to the little family, the mom was giving the two year old a bite of pizza. In a flash, a moment of time, as though a veil was lifted. I saw the enormity of her present and pending task. My God, I thought. She has the responsibility to feed human beings, every bite, or they will not survive.
    What a massive amount of work awaits her! How many millions of times will she deny self to serve the children? How often will she buy for them, rather than what she wants or needs for herself? When she's bone-tired or sick, heartbroken, her duties remain. When she's 80, they'll still be her children and a concern, a duty, and of course a blessing.
    Dear Lord, I wish I could explain to her what I just saw, what I feel. No, it's better that she doesn't know. She appears to have a good man to help her. the kids are beautiful, obviously well cared for and loved.
    I turn to the counter again and order my food. I am like a James Bond Martini, except that I am both shaken and stirred.
   I leave the building and sip on my drink as I drive. I think about my cute little wife with our two boys when we were that age. I think about her mountain of work and self-sacrifice for those once-little and now big,guys. Even now that they are nearing their 40's, there is no way that they'll ever know how good a mom they had; but, by golly, I know.
    From the author's green retreat, I'm CE Wills.
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