 |
...when you did it to one of the least
of these...you were doing it to me!
Matthew 25:40 NLT |
I see him on his knees, patiently re-arranging the bricks. Where I grew up, twin garden plots bordered the entry-way leading up the steps and onto the front porch of our old farmhouse. One hot mid-summer day I decided that I didn't like the arrangement of the half-buried bricks standing upright around the gardens, flat edges mirroring the sky. So I decided to tip the bricks a bit so their pointy edges zig-zagged upright. One brick -- two -- ten -- much better. About a third way around the first bed I stopped, stood back, and admired my work. As a matter of fact, I admired it so long I decided I was through and went on to other interests. Hours later I happened out onto the front porch and saw Senón on his knees placing the last of the bricks zig-zag fashion around the entirety of the twin garden beds. A crumpled straw hat shaded his leathered skin browned from the South Texas sun. His grandfather years maneuvered him slowly, one hand positioned on the ground held his body erect while his other packed dirt around the last of the bricks. He never looked up, even though he heard the screen door slam shut when I stepped out onto the porch. I admired my idea -- the border was sharp, much better looking than the former flat-topped stumps. Though I felt a twinge of embarrassment that I'd abandoned the job, my pre-adolescent maturity reasoned: That's what a gardener was for, right? Senón stood up and limped slowly away. I went back into the house.
I remember.
I'm ashamed.
I never even offered Senón a glass of water.
