Although it had rained most of the day, torrential at times, when we stepped outside of the restaurant we found the rain had ceased, and slowly parting clouds revealed just the slightest glimmering of stars that heralded the beginning of a beautiful tomorrow.

            As often happens, though, during rainy days that saturate the ground to overflow – the bane of all worms – a small creature appeared just several steps ahead of us outside the entry of the Italian restaurant.  It was an earthworm.  I was no more than maybe six inches long and only a little thicker than the lead of a pencil.  It writhed on the drying cement as though not sure what to do or where to go, having found itself inadvertently stranded upon a veritable ocean of stone as it frantically sought to reach shelter in the moist, supple grass just feet away.  It didn’t have the glossy, slimy coat that earthworms are normally accustomed to wearing, and it was evident that already the desiccation process had begun - the death knell for any nematode. 

            I hesitated, bending slightly at the waist for a moment, intent on picking up the poor, dying creature and toss it into the grass along the sidewalk.  Yet I hesitated, considering whether Jen might not appreciate holding hands and such after making contact with it.  So, I stood straight and stepped over the helpless animal.

            Before I had taken another step, though, I turned to watch as Jen bent down and carefully lifted the worm from the pavement, dropping it deftly into the wet grass before we continued our trek to the parking lot.  I walked along side of her, pondering.

            Although we cannot save every creature that finds itself lost and alone, dying in this world, Jen saved one.  And though it was just a worm, I felt as though I was in the presence of an angel of mercy.