7 Seconds

7 Seconds - "And then there are our hunny-free children. Downtrodden, burdened, exhausted, overwhelmed, disenfranchised, lonely, confused, battered, scared, anxious, depressed…they trudge uncertainly towards the door. We watch them walk. We see the scars in their expressions. The worry shrouds them like a morning fog. Our hearts ache, our empathy is activated, and our concern heightens. “If only,” we tend to think. “If only there were something I could do. Poor thing.” We watch them pass without making eye contact, hardly even breathing. Then we see them walk by a mysterious someone…

7 SECONDS LATER

…and after a similarly mysterious interaction, those same hunny-free children crack a smile. Eyes glint. Shoulders de-hunch. Steps become more sprightly. Britches get yanked back up above the keister. Laughter fills the air. What just 7 seconds ago appeared broken and destined for disaster now shows promise, life, and expression.

What just happened?"