I Cannot Explain

How two women met at random.

I cannot explain
How two women
Met at random
In the tower of a hospital
In a room with
Floating birthday balloons
Steeped in sadness.
There was color,
But not in her eyes.
The familiar story she told
Sounded like she was hanging
Each word on hooks.
Slowly,
Deliberately,
Flatly,
So she would not crumble
Into thousands of pieces.
All the words she hung 
Spelled out, 
"I don't want to watch my son die."
I put my hand on hers
"I know."
I don't want to watch my son die either.
Then we both cracked open.
So I sat beside this man
Much like my son,
And told him about
My adventures in Mexico.
He had been there too,
When he could 
Walk,
Talk,
And breathe on his own.
He smiled
The most beautiful smile.
Story after story
Was met with a beam.
And his mom said, 
"He hasn't smiled this much since the accident."
So when I think of all 
These things 
That came together 
To make that 
Moment meaningful,
I tell you
I cannot explain it.
I don't want to.
What pain!
What joy!
To realize that
This encounter happened
Because of 
Our shared suffering.
What a profound mystery
Only known to God.
And I'm so thankful
I cannot explain it.