While driving to Monterrey Mexico
many,many years ago
we came upon a very small town
that seemed deserted
there were no people around

While driving slowly through the streets
we spied the ruins of a beautiful old Church
that had fallen on hard times
it was in total disarray,
but still beautiful in its own way
the Church had known its season
and for what unknown reason,
it now stood a silent sentry
on the edge of this seemingly uninhabited place

We drove toward the Church to get a better view
when the small street was suddenly filled with children
chattering in a language we did not understand
they surrounded our car
and each child held out one hand
we looked at each other in utter disbelief
we knew they wanted money,
we knew they needed food
not having much money ourselves,
we opted for food
and filled each outstretched hand with a slice of cheese
the children coyly put that hand behind their backs
while reaching out with the other
one little boy scolded them as if to say "don't be ungrateful"
the group of children slowly strode away

We took pictures of the Church
then continued our trip to Monterrey

For a long time after this startling experience
I would chide my own children
when they found fault with food I had prepared
I would remind them of the hungry children
we had seen in Mexico

God Bless the Children