The call for a morning dosa was overwhelming. I was hungry. Minutes later, at a favorite restaurant, the waitress handed me a dosa that had the right texture, no extra oil, and was perfectly cooked.
As I basked in the wonder good food can bring, confusion erupted. Two guys beside me were finishing their meal. A pushing grandmother was overtaking their table. Trailing her were a husband, sister and brother-in-law. I began dismissing the stereotyped scene when my eyes stopped.
She was stunningly beautiful. Her perfect hair, brushed in an arrangement that reflected a studious attention to detail, effortlessly swayed with her walk. Her dress, dated and conservative, complemented naturally. She moved unaware of the following eyes.
My heart skipped as I realized that a gorgeous 30-something body with the mind of a child was coming to sit next to me. You could see in her eyes that life had given her a cruel twist.
As she sat down, her loving family was busy trying to get the waiter to clear the table. Unaware, she looked at the tray before her in confusion. Obviously, her family loved and cared for her. Even though the meal was partially eaten, she knew they had prepared it for her. She gently took the spoon and in a spirit of gratefulness began to eat. Initially nobody noticed. I wanted to reach out, put my arms around her, and gently ask her to stop. I did not know what to do, so silently sat crying as I watched her.
She was beautifully innocent. She was facing life the best she knew how.
When her family saw her movements, the disappointed scolding was immediate. In confusion, she stopped in disbelief. I do not know how much she understood. She left, went to wash her hands and rinse her mouth. As she returned, the icy reception and her bowed head added to my tears.
One may speak of “a triple testimony: the Spirit, the Baptism, the Crucifixion. And the three in perfect agreement.” (1 John 5.8) When something is missing, we all lose.
