It was a late afternoon.
I was rushing from my Uber ride to catch the evening train home, and I wasn’t looking for anyone to save tonight. With the heavy backpack, I was walking quickly along the platform at the train station, when I noticed a dark ball on my path. When I looked closer, I realized a small brown bird was stranded on the cold pavement. He was alert and sitting quietly; however, he did not move or fly. I stopped in stillness and fluttering, as if I was frozen for a moment. My train was about to come at any moment. I had no time to think or hesitate, and I desperately inspected my luggage to find something suitable to shelter the bird with.
While my mind was wandering and trying to process the situation, my hands were working on their own. I opened my lunchbox, pulled a couple of napkins, and gently scooped the feathery friend. He nervously jumped to the side. After the second attempt, I was gently zipping the lid of my lunch box, with the precious cargo inside.
The train horn sounded, and I watched the lights of the quickly approaching train.
I didn’t know what would happen next, if he would survive, if I was doing the right thing, or how I’d explain this to anyone. I only knew that for one fleeting moment, a small, silent life had been placed in my care. And I answered with yes.
A Prayer for the One I Held for a Moment
May the hands that lifted you be steady.
May the sky remember your name.
May every creature in trouble find one open heart.
And may the ones who love fiercely, if only for a moment, be held in peace.