BLOG POST THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

BLOG POST      THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

Having always been independent self-reliant the help giver, it is quite a turnabout to be on the receiving end. Yesterday, I stood on the sidewalk outside a building that has two tall steps to reach the entry way, and another six steps to reach the first floor. There was a heavy door between the outside and the mezzanine level. Another set of heavy doors between the mezzanine level and the first floor.

I was traveling with a walker and a large and heavy bag. I also had a coat which I had taken off as the weather had warmed. I stood there contemplating how to proceed.

Three people showed up who helped me. One gentleman held the inner door open while a lady carried my walker and my bag from the outside, to the first floor, through the door the gentleman held open for what seemed, to me, to be a long time.

He was patient as we got my walker, my bag, my coat, and myself up the steps, through the two doors, and into the first-floor lobby.

While I was making my way up those steps, the gentlemen holding the door open said, “Take your time.”  I thanked them perhaps profusely.

Those are my new favorite words: “Take your time.” There is so much compassion and patience conveyed in those words.

“Take your time.” The words convey, “I have time. I will wait. You are worth it.” How could one meet those words with anything other than profound gratitude?

Until recently I never gave much thought --except perhaps occasionally -- as to how heavy entry doors can be. I never noticed-- much less counted – the number of steps from one level to the next,  unless the number seemed excessive.

I am looking with a new perspective now. How heavy are those doors? How many steps are there to the entrance? How far is it from the blue outlined parking spaces to the entry door?

There is one medical building that I visit. While they have blue outlined parking spaces along the side of the building, the entrance to the building is up a steep incline;  around a corner, and up another, somewhat less steep, incline.

Who designed that? I can tell you with absolute certainly there was no one on the committee who has mobility issues involved in that plan.

Until one has a mobility issue these things fly completely below one’s radar. I, too, was oblivious.

I have a placard that allows me to park in the blue outlined parking spaces. I have deep gratitude for that blue and white card, now laminated.

I use it – a lot. All the time, in fact,  except on  the rare occasions when the blue spaces are either not the closest,  or, as in the last illustration, not conveniently located.

In those instances-- and there are several buildings that I frequent where that is the case-- I have improvised. I parked at the closest spot to the door.

I put my placard on the dash and enter the closest door. So far, I have not been ticketed or reprimanded in any way.

I appreciate that…very much.