A Prayer so Powerful

M. Stanley Bubien

A prayer so powerful, it sends a shockwave through the heavens, the earth and all time.

"So," I asked furtively, "did you get an answer?"

My wife giggled mischievously.

I don't remember exactly when that was, but now, with our first daughter's hand in mine as we ascended in the hospital elevator, it really didn't matter.

* * *

"What are you looking for?" my wife asked.

"You know," I drummed my fingers on the list, shaking my head. "But I don't like any of them."

"You just need---"

"Something powerful!" I finished for her. "Something with breadth, and length, and depth, and height..." I inhaled to sigh, but the salt air tingled my tongue, and tasted... "Like the sea," I breathed aloud.

"Well then, we're half-way there!" my wife's eyes danced.

"The second half I bet."

I hadn't noticed it before, but she held a list of her own. I took it and flattened it onto the table with my palms. Bending closer, I consider each item, but at the same time, I felt her gaze upon me as though it were the most important thing. "You have a preference," I said without looking up."

* * *

"Carissa?" our eldest asked, stepping timidly into the hospital room.

Before I could respond, she forgot her caution and darted to my wife's bedside to stare at the swaddled bundle.

"Say hi to your big sister," my wife whispered into the blankets, exposing our new daughter.

"Perfect!" our eldest laughed. "She looks like a Carissa!"

My wife's eyes met mine, and she giggled mischievously.

For Carissa Oceana Bubien, Born January 6th, 2004.

Copyright ©2004 M. Stanley Bubien. All Rights Reserved.

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March, 2004 Issue #87

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