In Order to Heal

     It's common to hear gunshots in my neighborhood.  Usually, we think nothing of it. We roll our eyes and continue with whatever we're doing.
     Awhile back, I heard two gunshots in the middle of the night. When I looked outside I saw a black truck pull into my neighbor's drive.  A man got out and ran into the house.  Moments later three people rush out to the street, got into a parked car, and drove away.  Not long after that, three police cars came on the scene.  Six police officers got out of their squad cars and began walking around the house looking in the windows.
     The next morning, I found out what happened.  The couple that lives there had received a call from her brother. His truck had engine trouble.  In order not to be late for work, he needed a ride.  When he drove over the bridge next to their house, his truck backfired.
     Now I realize, sometimes what I think I hear is not what I heard.

IN ORDER TO HEAL

The times we live in make us run

when a noise we hear sounds like a gun.

Peaceful times seem to be in the past.

Remember the days we thought they would last?

Filters in life can be sounds or words.

What you hear may not be what you heard.

Our nations foundation began with "IN GOD WE TRUST."

In order to heal, living those words is a must.

                            Patricia Westbrook