This morning, I had a very interesting, strange and inspiring experience. On my way to perform my civic duty (I’ll talk about that in a future post) I encountered an elderly man attempting to cross the street with a walker. Just prior to my approaching him, I heard him ask a woman for assistance. Blurting out something in what I considered in a tone both rude and disrespectful, the woman quickly scurried away leaving him to fend for himself.
Obviously afraid to cross the street during its downtown morning rush – I offered to help the Elder. As one would expect, he was extremely grateful and we began our two block walk to his destination. During that walk, I learned that he was a retired CPA, had suffered a stroke about a year ago, and that his doctor – a woman – suspected that he would have to continue to use the walker for at least another six months. The Elder is the father of three; two sons, both engineers and a real estate agent daughter.
This elder spoke to me about many things during our walk including Islam and its tenants regarding the importance of woman and mothers and the need to respect one another. He spoke of how ants will help each other to survive in their world in the absence of competition. He said that only humans feel the need for competition, degradation, and humiliation against one another creating divides, hatred, and the inability to coexist.
Reaching his destination, I knew that he would have to climb about 4 concrete steps. I remained at the bottom of the steps and helped him to steady himself by holding onto the railing. Once steadied, I took is walker to the landing and then returned to the Elder to assist him up the stairs. The doorman – who was watching all of this – then, assisted him into the business establishment. Before saying our farewells, the Elder said to me, “I asked God to send someone to help me cross that street. And he sent you. He sent you – the nice lady with a pretty smile – a lady who is now my daughter.” The Elder then kissed my hand and blessed me with a good and prosperous life. I thanked him, claimed the blessing, and proceeded to my destination to perform my civic duty.
Everything happens for a reason. And while I may have been placed at the right time and place to help the Elder cross the street, I sincerely believe that this unknown Elder was placed at that spot to safely cross ME to a destination yet unknown.
BEST POSTS OF THE **YEAR** 2008 Honoree
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