Don’t you love this time of year when the weather is nice? The tourists are hanging off the cable car, smiling as they coast down Powell Street. I took a picture of a couple on my way to work this morning.
Yesterday on my way home, I noticed an old blind woman having trouble crossing the street. She seemed to be lost. I touched her shoulder, “Hi, can I help you?” She grabbed my arm for support. I continued, “You’re at Mason and Sutter.”
“Don’t tell me where I am,” she snuffed. “Don’t you know that blind people know where they are at all times?” I didn’t know what to do so I just held her arm. “Help me cross the street.” I walked her across the street and she let go of my arm. “I know exactly where I am.” But she didn’t. She kept tapping away at the gutter, trying to feel her way around. I watched her for a few minutes in anguish, knowing she would yell at me if I offered help again.
I was thinking about her all night and then again today when I walked to work. You can’t help people unless they’re willing to accept it so I need to let it go.
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