This morning sitting in my vehicle checking on the
latest scores in the Masters golf tournament I noticed coming my way down the sidewalk - a young lady (let’s call her “Karen”)
walking with a white cane.
“Karen” was headed west on Menaul Boulevard toward a major
intersection. I thought nothing of it
and pulled out of the driveway to continue my morning of errands.
Then something told me I should turn around.
I made a “U” turn, and headed back. I saw “Karen” going back the same
direction from where she had originated, turned into the store driveway,
went for a few feet, stepped off the sidewalk and into gravel and then
waved a hand, hoping to find something to regain her balance,a parking light pole. She had lost her sense
of direction and she could not see anything – anything.
Pulling in to the store’s driveway, I lowered the passenger
window and inquired – “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for the bus stop,” “Karen” said.
I jumped from the car and walked up to her. Without hesitation she calmly placed a hand
on my elbow.
“Where are you going?”
“Towards downtown, Louisiana & Menaul.”
She was on the wrong side of the street - headed in the wrong
direction.
We calmly went to the intersection, crossed one of the major
streets. While waiting for the light to change, another chap came up. He too was headed in the direction of the bus
stop.
“Could you help this young lady to the bus stop,” I asked.
“I’m going to Wienerschnitzel,” he said
“Well, the bus stop is in front of that,” I said.
“I’m going to Wienerschnitzel,” and he was on his way.
Well…”Karen” and I proceeded to cross the street and to the
bus stop.
As we crossed the street, I continued to explain where we
were heading.
Karen says, “I see.”
“Do you, really,” I ask.
“No, nothing, but my friend Mike says it all the time and
I say no you don’t, you’re blind,” Karen says. And giggles.
Headed back to my car realizing I left
the keys in the car, the doors unlocked, and my cell phone in the front
seat. All was good, however, and I was
on my way.
I watched as the bus came and picked up “Karen.”
About the same time the other fellow came out of
Wienerschnitzel carrying a giant soda and a bag of chili cheese dogs.
I wonder which of us is feeling better about the morning?