David Lance Goines American, b. 1945
Some years ago a young woman of my acquaintance was traveling Europe on the cheap, and found herself stranded, with no money, for 36 hours in an out-of-the-way airport, together with some dozens of her fellow would-be passengers. She recounted the event as one of the high points of her trip. She drew notebooks full of portraits, got to know people whom she might otherwise never have met, and generally looked upon the whole experience as a grand adventure.
When a friend came to dinner with her two small children, they proceeded to play together as sweetly as anyone could ever wish, while their elders had an enjoyable, calm meal and pleasant, uninterrupted conversation. The older child spent most of her time decorating her little brother like a Christmas tree, and he throughout sat patiently and endured her attentions with an unrivaled sweetness of spirit. This is not merely astounding, this requires an explanation.
This joy at what another might see as calamitous adversity; this delightful interlude in an otherwise normal childhood; though strange, these things make sense. Angels passing overhead dropped in for a visit, dwelt a moment, and then gently departed, leaving in their wake the silver sound of bells." - DLG