An old photo of Norah running ahead of me.


A more recent photo of her running ahead toward the same park.

Carefree, she ran into the park to play,
her face uplifted to the sun
that day...
While I
aware of brewing storms
that etched
the sky,
clutched at fear
and nursed it.
Then I
saw her hand
outstretched
like a small child;
and while I watched,
Another Hand
reached down and clasped it.

I heard the distant thunder
with a smile.

-Ruth Bell Graham