The mall was over crowded,
shoppers rushed from store
to store. Nobody paid attention,
as she crouched there on the
floor. She didn't look in trouble
and she didn't seem afraid.
Apparently she stopped to rest,
she did not need my aid.

A little girl of 8 or 9
and cute as she could be.
I wondered, should I stop
and ask if she needs help
from me? I wondered if her
mother had just left her
there alone. I thought as
I walked by her in my haste
to get back home.

As I left the mall I
could not get her off my mind.
Did that little girl need help?
Was I just acting blind?
It bothered me so much
I had to go back in the mall.
I have to get this settled in my
mind once and for all.

The mall began to close I heard
some chain doors coming down.
But, as I looked the little girl
was no where to be found.
Is it . . . my imagination,
that again is running wild?
Thinking I had lost my chance
to help this poor lost child.

I guess she must be fine
or she would still be sitting here.
I get way too emotional
at Christmas time each year.
I had to leave and get back home
where it is safe and warm.
The weather forecast for that
night- -a chilling winter storm.

Late that night it happened,
as the weather station said.
Frigid cold and heavy snow
while I was snug in bed.
In the morning I awoke
to winter's nasty caper.
The only place I'd go that
day was out to get the paper.

Cozy in my kitchen with
my news and cup of tea.
But, as I saw the front page,
it just devastated me.
On the front page down below,
a little headline read.
"At the local shopping mall,
a little girl found dead".
 It was 4 AM this morning,
when police received the call.
The caller said "A little girl
was dead behind the mall".
It was the chilling elements
that brought her close to death.
As she lay down she fell asleep
and breathed her final breath.
 I could not read the rest of it,
as I began to weep.

While I slept safe, a
little girl had frozen in her sleep.
Many years have passed me now,
but it still haunts my dreams.
Was the little girl they found
the same one I had seen?

Author Unknown

Poverty knows no racial or ethnic boundaries.
Have you thanked God for what He has blessed
you with? Many of us often judge a man or
person because of their appearance. The
question is very simple "Have we walked
in their footsteps?" Let's leave judgment
to God and help the less fortunate here as
we all will stand judgment before Him
in due time ! ! ! Please give generously
as to what God lays upon you heart to give
this holiday season. If you do not want to
give to a local charity you can donate to
your local church for the missionaries,
food pantry or homeless shelter.