Chapter 14

Miriam began to speak in a language that was somewhat familiar to Mary but didn’t understand. Miriams hand released from Mary’s as she raised both as high as her bent body could allow and continued in what Mary believed to be her own Praises to God. After Miriam finished her praise, she looked at Mary. Mary’s eyes filled with tears as she sat staring at Miriam. She blinked and caught sight of Miriam, her eyes also glistening with tears as a smile mirrored her own. Mary wondered at her expression. It was as if she had been there with Mary and Jesus, watching and experiencing the same moment. Miriam breathed in deeply and let out her breath. Mary examined her for a moment. “Did you ever meet Jesus?” she asked. “No.” Miriam said. “I was among many who followed and listened, but never spoke to Him. There were so many others who seemed desperate for healings that stretched beyond their mortal bodies. They held an emptiness that I couldn’t fathom. I saw from a distance and believed in who He says He is.” Miriam pressed her wrinkled fist to her chest. “My heart was secure in His diety. So many people were lost. So many more than me, needed His touch. But to hear from you, who loves Him as much as I have loved Him. Mary, you have taken me to a place that my broken body couldn’t go but my mind and heart can soar to. Don’t be sorry for me. Freedom can be found in the most broken and painful of places.” Mary was surprised by the words of this woman. No thought for her own condiditon.
Miriam had sacrificed her physical health for the spiritual health of others. How Mary wished this precious woman had been in the company of believers.
Sacrifice! Marys thoughts brought her back to a time when she witnessed the cost of sacrifice. She gently pulled the old womans hand from her chest and held it between both her hands.
“Now that we’ve gotten your hair done, let’s see what we can do about your clothes. You want to be beautiful in the morning. I believe I have something you can change into.” Miriam said, as she got up, and left the room once again.
“Where am I going?”, Mary asked. “Tell me another story”, Miriam said, ignoring Mary’s question.
Mary, not wanting to be rude, got up and attemped to sit in Miriams chair so she could rest comfortably on the mat. The chair that had been made to accommodate the bend in Miriams back protruded and sunk in all the wrong places on Marys frame. Miriam came back in the room holding a folded garment in her hand and laughing at the twisted form of Mary as she tried to find a comfortable position in her chair. Mary jumped up, apologized and then broke out into a bit of laughter herself. As Miriam handed the garment to Mary and sat down in the chair, Mary was amazed at how well the chair fit her. It curved in the precise angle that her back bulged. To look at the chair, it seemed as if it were made by mistake, but to see Miriam in it, it was a perfection in craftsmanship.