February 17, 2008 THE UNFINISHED IMAGE
I had read about the accident in the paper that same morning. A young man, 26, had tried to pass in a no passing zone. His vehicle struck an oncoming car, and he was killed; the driver of the other car was in critical condition in a La Crosse hospital.
That evening I was returning to Viroqua after a meeting and dinner in La Crosse. I pulled into a convenience store for gas before leaving La Crosse. As I walked down an aisle of the store a man and his wife had the telephone book open. “Do you know the number of the Salvation Army?” he asked me. “It’s not in the phone book.” “Sure it is,” I replied. “Let me help you.” I’d looked for the number many times before. Apparently, he had looked in a section of the phone book which listed only the numbers of surrounding townships. I found it right away and showed it to him. A moment later I passed them again. “We’re in trouble,” he said. “We need a place to stay tonight, and they’re all filled up at the Salvation Army. My brother was killed in a car accident yesterday; we drove up here from Indiana to attend his funeral. My car broke down. We have no money and no place to stay.”
I told him I know people at the Salvation Army and that I’d drive there. I was sure they’d find some floor space if not a bed for them. So, after I paid for the gas we drove back into the city. The main doors were locked, but a sign said to enter a doorway off the alley. Inside I found the director of the shelter, a lady I’ve worked with many times before. “Sure, we can find room for you tonight. But it’s only floor space. And we’ll have to split you up.” I explained their dilemma, the broken car, the lack of money, the family grief. The young man had just lost his last family member. Both his parents were gone. He had no other siblings. He was reluctant to be entirely alone. The director explained that men and women are separated in the shelter; the rules had to be followed. I understood. “Listen, you need a roof tonight. You need protection from the cold. Your wife needs these things too. Even if you’re separated for a few hours, you’ll feel better facing the funeral tomorrow. You need the rest and the warmth they offer you. You’ve got to stay here.”
They agreed. I left them in the hands of the Salvation Army. I had been anxious to get back to the rectory on this cold February evening. I hadn’t wanted to delay my arrival at home. It took only a moment, though, in that convenience store, to remember that I was paying for my gasoline with a gift card received at Christmas. We really do have to help each other in this life; one act of generosity facilitates another. Jesus said, “From those who have received much, much is to be expected.” Besides, I knew with certainty that I wouldn’t want to exchange places for anything with this young couple.