Encouragement

---

....of whom
shall I
be afraid?
[Psalms 27:1]
[A Psalm of David.]
**********************
"I'm
SHVI'TZING*,
Lord!"

[CALM NOD.]

(Woeful look
at the ceiling.)
"I'm having a
PANIC attack!"

[NODDING.]

"THEY always
tell me 'ta BREATHE!"
(Blow a breath.)
"But.....
THAT never.. HELPS!"

[PATIENTLY NOD.]
"Yes,
Mein kin'der.
I know."

"SO?"
(Blow out another breath.)
"WHAT should I DO?"

[PATIENT GAZE.]

"Y'UR...no HELP!"

[GAZE AT THE MOON
LIGHT SHINING ON
SOME SNOW,
IN WISCONSIN.]

(Woeful look.)
(Breathe in.)
(Breathe out.)
(Put hand to sternum.)
(Breathe in, again.)

[GAZE.]

(Blow out.)

[WATCHING.]

(Sorrowful grimmace.)
"You KNOW
I was never VERY GOOD,
at COPING,
LORD!"

[CALM NOD.]

"It was never....."
(Blow in.)
(Blow out.)
"......My...
FORTE`!"

[CALM PAUSE.]
"What is,
child?"

(Woeful shrug.)
"I DUNNO."
(Thoughtful squint.)
(Blow out a breath.)
"I've been pretty much
a FAILURE,
at EVERYTHING!"
(Hopeful glance.)
"Maybe....THAT'S
my FORTE`!"

[CHUCKLE.]

(Laugh!)
(Still breathing.)

[TENDER VOICE.]
"Do you feel
any better,
child?"

(Kvetchy grimmace.)
(Squirm.)
"....Not REALLY."

[SMILE.]
[WHISPER.]
"Then,
keep
talking."
********************
He only
is my
rock
and
my salvation,
my fortress;
I shall not
be
greatly
moved.
[Psalms 62:2]

__________________
*Yiddish: 'to sweat
like a pig': with
nervousness.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE