It's actually the true account of my father's upbringing in Mississippi. His story is similar to some other great men: He had a severe speech impediment that his community protected him from by adjusting their understanding and acceptance, which unfortunately caused him to travel to college still unable to speak properly. He grew up to become a community leader and eloquent pastor for over 50 years!
This is rough (rough rough) draft form:
Prologue
The
small child shivered as the crowd swept around him. He could hear the mingled
voices of men, women, and children all excitedly speaking at once. The sounds
of people, sales clerks and cash registers began to swell in his mind, filling
his consciousness until he began to cr. He heard all sounds except the soothing
calm of his mom and dad.
They
were separated as soon as the department store opened its doors. The little boy
was swept away from his parents in a flood of humanity. Everyone was scurrying
to get the best price. The confusion was overwhelming for a boy so young and he
dropped to his knees, trying to escape swinging purses and other children being
pulled through the aisles.
Sullenly,
he bowed his head and uttered a quick prayer, “Dear Lord, I’ll do anything you
want. Just, please, let me find my mommy and daddy.”
Almost
immediately a voice cut through the crowd, “Tommy Gene!”
Gene
glanced up to see his parents waving to him from the banister of the second
floor. They had fought the crowd and climbed the stairs to have a better view
of the sales floor. Knowing the Lord had answered his prayer, Gene dried his
tears and waved as his parents made their way down the stairs to collect their
beloved son.
Tommy
Gene never forgot the promise he made to God.
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