A Gift of Sight

A harried beginning to the start of the day, running behind schedule, headed to the city to deliver medical records for a law suit, in the city. Boarding a crowded bus, I took the only available seat, next to a young woman. She asked where I would be getting off? I replied, “Legal Building”, she said, “so am I”. As the bus approached our destination, it came to an abrupt stop; unsteady from being thrust forward, she held onto me. Working our way through the ‘standing’ passengers, awkwardly moving toward the exit, still clutching my arm, feeling anxious and impatient, I looked up at her, wanting her to release her arm; I realized she was blind. She revealed that her blindness was due to the severe impact of a serious car accident. She asked me what the day looked like. I had not given much thought about the day, except for the responsibilities, that lie ahead. With a lump in my throat, swallowing hard, I paused, searching for the right words for her to see, with my eyes and her memory. Clouds floating on a celestial sea, headed for exotic places, beyond imagination, drifting aimlessly. Their lofty sails puffed out like pillows, catch the wily wind that gently prods and billows, slowly transforming, creating a disguise, becoming cats, and rabbits and dragons that fly. Stealthy and reticent, helmed at a steady pace, the sun in the east, the wind at their back, Sailing in beauty and grace. In her sweet and gentle voice, thanked me for sharing the magical beauty of the day. It occurred to me, I never realized my gift of sight was impaired; a blind person gave back to me, what I took for granted. As we ascended the steps, documents securely in my bag, arm and arm we entered the office together.~ Haiku: The blind see clearly, There is vision without sight, Memories unfold