" "I’ve been staring down dreadful roads.

An endless gaze with nothing but fear to rest my eyes upon.

I fear for the roads that time and time again have left me with only thieves in the night. They take everything and leave me with only fear and meandering thoughts. Those things occupy my exhausted mind until I fall asleep.

Becoming lost in the midst of so many paths, directions, and signs have detoured my charge for victory. They pulled me here and dragged me there. A puppet on a string is what I have become.

But deep down I know there is a road to follow. A road that will be truly mine.

If I want the victory that I still believe in then I've got to keep going. It may not be on this road and it may not even be on the next. But I'll try to break these puppet strings. I'll continue on with no more plod and stagger. My shoulders will slump no more. I'll instead march on with a beat in my step.

Flashing signs and posters will no longer distract my attention. For I've got a goal to find that right road.

I'll carry with me, faith, and a sturdy cane for those clever thieves.

I'm continuing on now. I'll see you again hopefully. Maybe in rags or maybe in riches. Either way, it won't matter. Because what matters is right here." The stranger patted his left side to his heart and then waved goodbye.

I stood there on the sidewalk in awe. My ability to speak was gone.

Who was that man? Where did he come from? Where was he headed?

I heard every word he said. I felt every emotion he expressed. I sensed a certain peace within him.

My wits came about me finally and I turned to my swanky little apartment. My arms carried groceries for the next few days and I took the first step up to the door.

A raindrop hit my forehead, I looked up, and heard thunder rolling in the distance.

I looked again in the direction to where the man had gone. No sight of him. Just buzzing cars and a chatter of falling rain.

"A puppet on a string?"

"A road to find?"

"Faith? A sturdy cane?"

Shaking my head and trying to understand what just happened. I felt like I was in a dream.

I entered through the door to my apartment and closed it before a drenching rain soaked me entirely."