candle for a friend

i pray a lot.  but i don't really do some of the things a lot of catholics do.  i don't touch or caress images; i don't light candles.  this time, however, i was requested to light a candle for a friend's departed friend.  i thought it would be easy.  i wasn't quite right.

i usually see this candle racks inside churches.  but in the church where i attend mass, i couldn't find it anywhere inside.  i checked outside, circled the perimeter, and found it under one of the trees.  hmmm... i suppose it was placed there because the church is air-conditioned.

there were candles but there was nothing to light them with.  i went to the parish office to borrow a lighter.  no one had any.  i asked for a match, they told me to ask from one of the church hands.  the guy gave me a box full of match sticks.

i went back to the rack and lighted and lighted and lighted but the wind kept on blowing out every single flame i started.  i used up the whole match box.

i was standing there sad and frustrated when a soldier passed.  i asked whether he has a lighter.  he said he'll ask his comrade.  was i surprised and so happy when he did return, lighter in hand.  he assisted me in lighting the candle.  and finally we got a good flame which lasted through my short prayer.

may my friend's departed friend for which the candle was lighted rest in peace...