Prayers unanswered

The most random of memories will come back to me while I am driving.  Oh, I know what you're thinking, I should be more focused on the road.  Distractions cause accidents.  Good luck teaching this brain to turn off like that.  For reals! 

So this morning I was thinking about Christmas presents, which made me think of prayer candles (don't ask), which made me remember a story about a particular prayer candle.

A little background: prayer candles are a part of my Catholic faith.  When we have a special prayer or perhaps set of prayers, we (meaning many Catholics) will either go to church to light a candle or buy one and light it up at home.  My family will often pre-purchase candles and bring them home to light at home.  I believe the way it works is that while your candle is lit, your prayer burns bright.  And basically, the point is to leave your candle lit until it burns itself out.  Some candles (depending on size) could potentially burn for a week. 

Well, one day years ago (and I do mean years, easily almost 10 years ago), I had lit a prayer candle.  Frankly I do not even remember what I was praying for at the time... usually if I light one though it's pretty major... leaving a lit candle for multiple days is a bit of a hazard so you kind of have to do it right.  More work, more need.  So I had lit the candle and set it on the table... At one point during the week (it was a big guy!), my roommate and I were expecting guests over for a hangout session.  We were cleaning up and in the process, either my roommate or our best friend (I think it was the Mexi) blew out the candle.  *CRINGE* Right?  Yeah, my reaction if I remember was "NOOOOoooOOOOOOoooOO! My Prayer Candle!!!!" 

Poor Mexi, she was like "OOOps" and apologized so profusely.  She was just trying to help and didn't realize it was a prayer candle for prayers (sometimes people like to use them as ... well, candles and not necessarily for the purpose of prayers. Crazy, right?!?!)  Anyway, because I understood that concept I wasn't upset or mad.  I think at the time, I laughed and shrugged.  She attempted to try and re-light it, but at this point, it was already deep into the week and only maybe an inch of a 10 inch candle was left.  I think this was also before I owned one of those long lighters and it was just impossible to re-light.  I felt really bad for the Mexi actually. She seemed to feel pretty guilty.  Guess one might feel that way if they thought they had just killed another person's prayer(s).  I know I would.  But really, I wasn't upset.  Not sure if that says something about me or about my faith.  Nevertheless, I can look back now and smile at the whole situation. 

Not amused?  I guess you had to be there....