Mother Teresa

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” –Mother Teresa

The above words were spoken by Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa began teaching in 1929. She taught girls at St. Mary’s High School. The high school was in Calcutta.

Calcutta is in India. In 1929, it was a place where the poorest of the poor, and the sickest of the sick wandered the streets.

One day, Mother Teresa was traveling on a train to Calcutta. She looked out the window and saw children without shoes. She thought she felt a calling. (A calling is a voice from God asking a favor). Her calling was to leave St. Mary’s and take care of the lepers, the beggars, the homeless, and the barefoot children of the streets in Calcutta.

When Mother Teresa returned to St. Mary’s convent, she asked the Archbishop (an Archbishop is a high priest) permission to leave.

Though Mother Teresa died in 1997, I like to pretend she didn’t.

Like an actor in a play, in a TV program, or in a movie, I like to create make-believe moments and pretend I am Mother Teresa.

Today I am in England. I have never been to England, but I know from pictures I have seen on the internet that there is a clock tower, and it is called “Big Ben.” Today I promised to meet Omar’s cousin.

Omar’s cousin says he will meetup with me at noon under Big Ben. If you recall, Omar is the small boy I rescued in the streets of Baghdad.

Remember, I am making this up.

Back to my story.

I stand beneath the big clock tower.

I hear Big Ben bong.

Bong. Bong. Bong.

Big Ben bongs 12 times. Omar’s uncle is not here.

I place my hand in my pocket, and I pray. In a little while I must meet Queen Elizabeth. I pray I will not be late.

I pray Queen Elizabeth will understand.

I pray Omar’s uncle is safe, and that nothing has happened to him.

In a little while, a woman stops, and whispers in my ear. She whispers a message from Omar’s Uncle to me. Omar’s uncle is in the hospital. On his way to meet me, he was hit by a car. The woman says Omar’s uncle is hurt very bad, and that I should go visit Queen Elizabeth without him. She asks if she can give me a ride to the Palace.

I say a prayer. Then I place a call to Queen Elizabeth. I tell the Queen about Omar’s uncle. I tell her where Omar’s uncle is, and that he needs me. I ask permission to not visit her and dine in the Palace.

On my way to the hospital, I pray my rosary.

I pray for Queen Elizabeth. I ask God to bless her.

I pray for Omar’s uncle.

I thank God for making me an instrument of his loving kindness.

Though my story is make-believe, I’d like to think if Mother Teresa were alive, she would like it.

What do you think?