The Invisible Girl

I went to the grocery yesterday morning, and as I walked into the entryway of Wal-Mart, there was a person huddled in the corner near the carts.  My eyes slid over the lump of person, backpack, cardboard sign; just as my days in Chicago had trained me to do, and I walked past to retrieve a cart for my shopping excursion.

But as I turned with my cart, eyes to the floor, watching so as to keep from running over toes, I noticed a puppy’s nose peeking out from between the feet of this person.  I immediately forgot all rules about not looking, and smiled at the little face.  The person said, “She’s friendly, she don’t bite.”  So I crouched down to pet her.  I asked the puppy’s name, but now I regrettably forget it.

As I continued to pet the puppy’s head, she laid it down on the floor, rolling her eyes back in exhaustion.  “She’s so sleepy!”  I said, and looked up at the person for the first time.  I was surprised to see that I had situated myself nearly nose-to-nose with a young girl, pink-cheeked, freckles, innocent-looking, certainly not someone who should be tramping about.  “We got caught in the rain,” she simply said.  I looked at her, really looked; backpack with bedroll, cardboard sign with one word, “WEST” and a peace sign written on it.  I expressed my apologies for them having gotten so wet, and she told me it happens sometimes, like it was no big deal to her.

We exchanged a few more words, and then I left to do my shopping.  She was gone when I came out of the store, but I can’t shake her from my head.

She seemed so fragile and small, yet so capable and full of endurance.  Everyone walking into the store ignored her like she was a pile of garbage, yet she willingly engaged me in conversation with a smile, and spoke without bitterness.

Today, I was riding in the car, and happened to look out the window and saw the same girl and dog, along with a male companion, walking down the sidewalk, just outside Snyder Park.  They had their backpacks piled high, a bag in one hand, their dog on a leash.  They were obviously on some journey together. 

I wonder where they are going, and what they think they will find.  I wonder why this journey is so important to them that they would endure such discomfort and hardships to achieve their goal.  I wonder if they will make it; I hope they do.

God himself is at rest.  And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God.” –Hebrews 4:10