Prayer for a Stranger  - OR - The Nameless Good Samaritan a short story by Rian I felt it coming, swallowed hard, and fought back the tears.  Pulling into the farthest spot from the guarded entry, I turned off the motor just as the tumult rose to the surface.  Huge convulsive sobs rose from unfathomed depths.  Over and over again, the sobs racked my body... until finally they ceased with a slow ebb and my breathing returned to normal. I must control this, I thought, or else I'll never be able to speak to the Guard.    This was an electronics facility in Florida where security clearance was necessary.  It was my husbands first job after college.  We had a 14 month old and another baby due in a few months.  The sky was darkening and a peal of thunder echoed overhead. Suddenly, I heard..."tap, tap, tap!" and looking up, I saw a stranger tapping on the window of the car. Go away! was my first thought, angered at the intrusion.  I was too emotional to be embarrassed and too distraught to care why he was there. Silently he stood there.  Courtesy was too ingrained in me to ignore him.  So I blew my nose and rolled down the window. "I... uh, couldn't help but notice...", he stammered,  "that you were....uh, upset."  His eyes seemed pained as he continued. "I thought that... uh, ...maybe  I could help." I was taken back by this unexpected gesture and didn't know how to respond. Looking at his hands, he said, "I have these...uh, samples of perfume."  He paused, ...and I'd like for you to have them." That's all he said. For one brief moment, I hesitated.  Then smiling through red eyes, I took the offering and thanked him.  I've never liked perfume, but his caring had moved me - more than he knew or would ever know.  I've kept him in my prayers ever since. I've also often wondered how many other stories are out there.  How many other people wish blessings on a stranger.  How many nameless Good Samaritans are recipients of unending thank you's - as a result of one small act of kindness? He never knew the reason for my tears.  It didn't matter.  He only knew that I was hurting and he wanted to help.  He did - as clumsy as it was - and I've never forgotten it.  This is a recollection of a true incident that occurred in December, 1969 in Satellite Beach, Florida.  I was 23, married with a 14 month old son, and had just come from my Obstetrician's office.  He had just told me that there was a chance I could lose the baby I was carrying.  It was a few days before Christmas, and I had rushed to my husband's office to share my heartbreak. The good news is that I didn't lose my baby girl.  She's now 31 and about to give birth to her own little girl. But I shared this story with her when she was 22.  She had just come across a car accident in the early hours of the morning and had driven a dazed bloodied youth to his home.  His mother was overcome with appreciation, and in the bustle of worry and excitement, my daughter had left. She later wondered if she should have stayed and helped further.  After telling her my story, I told her that I felt certain that she would be in that mother's prayers forever - another nameless Good Samaritan!

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