Barbara Pannell

A Gentle Tug Barbara Pannell

One moment I was in that most beautiful place called Paradise. Suddenly, I heard the words, "I'm performing a miracle. I'm letting you live." Whoosh! Instantly, I was back in my crumpled body. I found myself looking up at a very startled lady who had been cradling my lifeless head. Then my eyes frantically search the faces of all those who had gathered around me, I asked as I labored to breathe, "Can anybody pray for me?" The crowd mostly burly-looking men, slowly shook their heads from side to side as in some sort of trance. No. As I realized what a desperate situation I was in. I repeated the question, "Can anybody pray for me?" Once again as if in unison, they shook their heads. No. Now I frantically gasped for air as my lungs quickly filled with blood. "Someone please pray!" Then a hush fell over the crowd as a small boy pushed them all aside, kneeled on the broken glass, grease, and wreckage, slid his cap of his little head, and said, "Mister, I can."