His eyes swelled with tears, and his cheeks became scarlet. Nancy came up nearby and told him to quiet down,
But Alan seemed to be in his own universe, where he wished his voice might soar to the stars. He begged God to listen as he gazed at the cross.
“Why don’t you respond to me?” He cried. “Jesus, please—all of them have mothers.” How come I can’t have mine? All I want is my mother.
As others looked over with sympathy, Nancy put a gentle touch on his shoulder and reminded him to stop talking.
After wiping away his emotions and trying to gather his thoughts, Alan’s focus was diverted by a mother carrying her little daughter inside the church.
Nestled against her mother’s side, the youngster gave Alan a bashful grin. Alan started crying again as his heart became heavy with want.
