THREE MINUTES UNTIL THE TOUR

By Ruby Bennet

I had always wanted to see the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi. Finally that dream was coming true. We'd driven hourst to get to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and had arrived just in time for the final tour of the day.

But instead of waiting at the trailhead with my husband and the other visitors, I was in the restroom. My six-year-old daughter was convulsed with stomach pain so severe that tears were running down her cheeks. It looked as if all I'd be seeing of Mesa Verde were a cement floor and a door latch. I could never enjoy historic sites or anything else while my little girl was hurting.

I wanted to help her find the physical comfort and peace of mind that she needed. And I felt it was right for her to be able to participate in the tour as well. We had studied the cliff dwellings in preparation for the trip, and now we were fired up and ready to roll. Not going didn't seem fair to either of us.