A PRECIOUS GIFT

Freedom is not just a word.
It is a way of life.
We must not forget those who were abused, betrayed and
lost their lives for OUR freedom.
It is now our responsibility to protect this precious gift for the
next generation.
As Americans, freedom is our birthright.
Let us never again disgrace this privilege as we have done
in the past.


On a dark, moonless night a young black slave slipped silently
into the murky, snake-infested water of the swamp.
Now was his only chance for freedom in the North.
Dogs bayed in the distance.
He prayed they would not find him.
If caught he would face harsh repression, designed to discourage
repetition of such acts.

All night he floated aimlessly in the water. As dawn peeped over
the horizion he could no longer hear the howing of the dogs. He
climbed out of the swamp into the dense jungle of undergrowth and
trees, stripped off his clothes and put them in the sun to dry. Exhausted,
he fell asleep beside a hollow log.

The sound of carriage wheels woke him. Quickly he donned his clothes,
stayed closeto the edge of the trees and followed the clip-clop sound of
the horses on the road.

All day he hid in the woods.
He was tired and hungry.
When darkness returned he sneaked into town, ducked between buildings
and ran down back streets to avoid being seen. In a dark alley he met
another run-away slave. Together they found the station that would
provide them hot food, a bed and, when the time was right, lead them to
safety.

Through days of seclusion and long, black nights of travel they were
escorted North to freedom. As they traveled the young man spoke of
the many times he had driven 'Massa" to town. He had seen freedom.
He knew freedom.

Freedom was the right to speak openly and to worship the Lord as he
pleased.
It was the right to work the fields without fear of beatings,
to be called by his name instead of "Boy,"
to walk down the street and not be pushed, shoved or spat upon
and, most importantly, the right never to be owned or sold again.

Now, as he reached the North, freedom was his.
He fell to his knees, lifted his arms toward Heaven and prayed:
"Lord, hold me in the palm of your hand. Life may not be easy, but
it will be mine. I am free. I can soar with the eagles. Thank you,
Lord for this Precious Gift of Freedom. Amen!"

Gynith Roberts