When I arrive in the city in the early hours, there is often a street sweeper. Well, actually it is the sidewalks that he focuses on, brushing up the broken glass and crushed cups of coffee from the night before. I have no idea how much he is compensated for the effort, but I appreciate it. Not only is it ugly, it could be dangerous. My short walk is more pleasant because of these
efforts.
I think of those workers on the mornings I do not board a train, and instead sit at my computer responding to comments on Off the Left Eye. The similarity rests in those junky posts that include profanity, or insults, or slimy friend requests. I get rid of them, before more people are confronted by what clutters up an otherwise beautiful thread of conversation. Some take the tack of threats, others pretend to be cordial. Others are straight out rude. It
is as close to being a hero as I get, to protect unsuspecting people from scammers, and blasphemous images.
It is part of my job, and I am grateful to do it. I no longer take out the trash at my own house, thanks to Benjamin, so it makes me feel like I am part of the Solution to do this.
Speaking of Benjamin, one of his pet peeves is videos that are inappropriate for children. They upset him. For a man who is in some ways
childlike himself, he is fiercely protective of kids.
One of the pivotal conversations that brought John and me into the decision to marry was about this. At the peak of our idealism, our early twenties, we believed that God both foresees and provides for our eternal happiness. God knows what we will choose to become, and creates the best environment for that to flourish. Ben did not yet exist, but we both believe that God could see into this young man's
future.
Benjamin has a Free Pass to heaven. Don't try to persuade me otherwise. I picture him as a guardian for children, using the symbols he loves to explain, like these:
These are all symbols of vices which are undesirable negative character traits!
Burnt out lightbulb - RECKLESSNESS,
STUPIDITY, FOOLISHNESS Spoiled milk, rotten eggs and moldy cheese - MEANNESS, SELFISHNESS, SADISM, CRIMES Scared kittens - FEAR, COWARDICE Rickety bridge - WEAKNESS, VULNERABILITY Snail slug - LAZINESS Gold bars - GREED, SPOILEDNESS Sour grapes - DISTRUST, PREJUDICE, RACISM Red hots - JEALOUSY, ARROGANCE, ANGER Bean Boozled Jelly Bean games - CHEATING, BAD SPORTSMANSHIP, LIES Cacti - PAIN, DISCOMFORT Hourglass - IMPATIENCE Magnet - TEMPTATION, ADDICTION Torture chamber - NIGHTMARES
I am in awe that this young man is a protector of innocence, while being innocent himself. When his time comes to walk through the pearly gates, Benjamin will know his task well. And the children in his care will be blessed.