With Eagle's Wings

For the last five months, life became very problematic for Lamar and his family. Despite recouping from a painful miscarriage of eight months, Lamar was notified a week later that he had been laid off from work, due to the construction company’s downsizing. Feeling trapped by the economic spiral, Lamar and his wife Jackie, sold practically everything they owned to keep from losing their home. Jehari, their seven year old son, volunteered to sell all of his favorite toys, if they would promise to replace them. Lamar and Jackie thanked and kissed Jehari on his chubby brown cheek, gracefully declining the offer. While Lamar worked at night working odd jobs, Jackie, still desperately subduing the emotions from the miscarriage, vigorously worked during the day. They were not able to afford a baby sitter and their recent job relocation had made it very difficult to connect with family and old friends.
Discouragement set in deeper as Lamar sat at the kitchen table one sunny afternoon, thumbing through a stack of over due bills. He felt helpless, fighting the feeling that losing the baby and his job was all his fault. Reaching into his right front pocket with desperation, he pulled out seven dollars and some change. Placing the money on the kitchen table besides the over due bills, he began to separate the change from excess lint. His eyes swiveled back and forth from the bills strewn on the table to the money he had under his right hand wondering if it would be enough for gas and dinner. Feeling overwhelmed, Lamar lightly pulled back from the table, placed his hands over his face and began to cry as quietly as he could so that Jehari, watching Spy Kids in the next room, would not hear him make a sound. All of a sudden, Lamar heard feet scurrying toward the kitchen. Quickly massaging his eyes with his pointing finger and thumb, Lamar wiped away his tears.

“Dad, the movie's over.”
“Oh, okay little guy.” Lamar’s said concealing his face with the rim of his t-shirt.
“Dad, what’s wrong? And why are you covering your face like that?” Jehari looked curious.
“Nothing son. Can I get you some orange juice or something?”
“No, I’m okay. Dad, why are your eyes red? Are you bleeding?”
“No, I’m not bleeding son.” Lamar giggled. “My eyes are just a little irritated that’s all. Hey, why don’t we go outside and play some catch huh? What do you say tiger?”
“Yayee! I’m going to beat you this time dad.”
“I’m sure you will Jehari.”

Jehari immediately grabbed his dad around his wrist, pushing open the glass front door with excitment and anticipation. Before their foot could hit the next brick step, Jehari paused and turned toward his father. With a gaze and a heart warming smile said, “You are the best dad in the whole wide world! I’m proud of you dad. I love you.” Jehari gave his father a great big hug, using all the strength he could muster.

“I love you too son!” Lamar said with pride. A tear from Lamar's cheek softly rolled down to the top of Jehari's head.

Those words, coming from his only son, had injected him with so much life. He had discovered that although what they were going through seemed great, that true love was greater. He found it possible to soar another day with “Eagle’s Wings.”

By Savaslas Lofton
2008