Chuck was so happy. He had found his soul mate-or so he thought. He had driven his grandfather (a minister), to a hospital to visit a church member who had been there for quite a while. It was a mental hospital.
He met a beautiful girl in the snack lounge. She had a bright cheery smile and long shiny hair.
Chuck introduced himself and they decided to sit in the swing outside and have their lunch. It was an impromptu picnic!
They talked and talked and talked some more. Chuck felt himself getting really serious about the girl. She seemed like just the person he needed in his life.
He made a mental note to exchange numbers as soon as possible.
Hours passed and they still talked. She had a great knowledge of music and art and books, all of the things Chuck enjoyed himself.
For once he has not upset with his grandfather for visiting so long.
Around 6 pm that afternoon he and the girl walked out and sat on the beautiful lawn chairs under a weeping willow tree. It was so peaceful and serene.
Then things changed dramatically. He heard a commotion and two big burly guards came around the corner and approached the girl. “There she is!”
They approached the couple walking very carefully. They seemed like they were afraid as they inched closer and closer.
Chuck was confused. He did not understand what was going on.
“Stand back,” one guard said, “Its almost dusk.”
“Huh?” Now Chuck was really confused! But at the guards tone, he stood back.
One guard handcuffed the girl with plastic ties. "Easy now," he said,"Those fingernails are lethal!"
The two started walking toward the building. The girl looked over her shoulder with sad eyes.
"I forgot to tell you. I have a problem."
Then she turned her head and walked away.
The other guard told him that he was very lucky that he was not attacked. The girl was a long term patient there.
He learned that she was an extremely violent individual. Her personality changed every day around night fall which was only a few minutes away!
He learned that she had been abused as a child with tremendous family problems that involved cult and ritual violence and had never overcome the emotional scars.
She claims she has to fight off invisible attackers every night. And she has to be restrained at night to prevent her from hurting others--and herself.
Chuck felt a tremendous lost.
He mourned for days over his new friend.
This experience taught him to pray.
He prays that God will free her from her illness and allow the beautiful girl inside to come forth and live a fulfilling life.
Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Copyright 2007
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