THE LAST SNAP SHOT
It was a great feeling to be among Americans. He had longed for such a day all through high school. Finally he had made it to New York, that great city he had heard so much about in his studies.

It was still early but lunch was already on his mind as he entered the building. In his haste he had skipped breakfast and couldn't wait to savor an American hamburger covered with cheese.

"I can't believe I'm actually here!" he thought as the elevator ascended until a hollow popping in his ears caused him to swallow. "I'm going to the top!" he quietly whispered to himself, wishing that others he had left behind might be there.

His camera strap, slung over his left shoulder, slipped as the elevator came to an abrupt stop. He quickly caught the case securely in hand but the rearranging of his heavy backpack caused the sleeve of his jacket to tear at the shoulder seam. The jacket was old but it was the best he had to break the wind chill that was in the air.

"I must get some good pictures to send to mom along with the Empire State Building. She'll appreciate that." he thought, as the elevator doors opened, happy that the camera was in tack.

An adrenaline rush went through him as he stood near the railing on top of the World Trade Tower.

Politely he asked a fatherly type gentleman if he would snap his picture. The man agreed with a smile as his young daughter stood nearby gazing over the railing at a safe distance. The father asked the young foreign student where he was from. They kindly exchanged words as the young man spoke proudly of his home country but then seemed a bit ashamed over the two small rips in his sleeve.

The young student turned his back to the milky wave of clouds amidst the tops of the buildings below, stretching endlessly as if to eternity. People appeared as mere specks below. Automobiles stirred like moving ants. The sky was a clear blue. He had his whole life ahead of him.

The camera snapped, capturing the plane heading towards the floors below. He had no idea what fate would bring that day as he stood in a pose, somewhat dismayed about his torn jacket.
Waiting.
Thinking.
Longing.
Yes, longing for a better future than what his past had wrought.

His hopes had always aspired to live in America, in the home of the free and the brave, in the city of the Yankees, that great American team he had hoped to see in live play action. It mattered little to him that they had lost the game the night before. He was sure he'd live to see a winning season for his favorite team.

He was full of hope and excitement although it didn't show as the shutter opened and shut on his final picture; the one he had hoped to send to mother; the one the whole world now knows; the last snap shot before America would change forever with a wound that moved the heart of God, when so many dear faces unexpectedly met His that day; on September 11, just before nine.

Don't think for even a second that Jesus wasn't there. He was in readiness at the railing, waiting to receive all who knew Him.

THE LAST SNAP SHOT © Copyright 2001 ~ by Chaplain Scott
All rights reserved to www.chaplainscott.com

Non commercial copies permitted with copyright notice enclosed.
Written Oct. 03, 2001: 06:21 AM CST

(Page created by Chaplain Scott. ~* See note on picture below)

~* IMPORTANT NOTE: The picture above has been analyzed and found to be a hoax .. its been done in Photoshop and is widely known to be a hoax around the web ... hoax or not, this is only a fiction story of what "might have been going on" in one solitary life that day, (among so many).

As a writer of truth AND also fiction stories with Christian themes, the main theme that I saw, more important than any actual details concerning if the picture was real or not, bore the more important thought of being prepared at any given moment, in readiness, to meet God face to face.

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