Perspective

I am currently on a juice cleanse so am not eating solid foods. I went to out to dinner with others and everyone kept commenting about how they felt bad that we were all out to dinner, yet I wasn't eating.  I didn't feel bad.  I chose to embark on the juice cleanse.  I chose to make another step in my recovery back to the body I had a few years ago before 6 surgeries, forced inactivity, and a lot of emotionally charged poor eating choices during that time.  I had to choose sometime to start and Friday was the commitment I made to myself and a friend who is also cleansing this week.

I went to the restroom after my dinner of tea, sparkling water, and fresh squeezed orange juice.  I was last in line and as the handicap door appeared to try and open, I thought I'd better see if someone needed help so popped around the door.  I found a wheelchair bound woman, with exceptionally limited use of her faculties trying to dry herself off.  The faucets at this restaurant were hard enough for me to use, I'm not even sure how she managed based on the sink height and mobility.  Needless to say, she was soaked in water, and said she was wet, could I help her.  Absolutely.  I got a stack of paper towels and proceeded to dry her and her clothes out the best I could.  She had a huge smile on her face as she thanked me for helping her.  As I was holding the door for her to get her wheelchair out, she dropped her purse which then spilled all over the floor.  Another lady in the restroom then jumped in to help me as I was putting it back together.  We all worked together, got her all sorted, and she made her way back out.

Experiences like these are important.  We often forget how hard simple things like washing our hands and opening doors (the entrance door at this restroom was HEAVY and I'm sure she could not have gotten out on her own) are for others.  We often forget how our limits of patience might be pushed by the driver in front of us going slower than we'd like, while others have to patiently wait for the help of a stranger to even proceed at all.  We often commiserate about how hard our lives are when we don't get something we want, when others don't get something in life as simple as the ability to walk.

This woman in the restroom last night is my hero.  Because she has the patience to wait to be helped.  Because she has the fortitude to walk through life in a wheelchair.  Because she provides smiles to those who take a moment to assist her.

I rode my bike over to visit with 102 year old grandma Haller today.  When I got ready to leave, putting all my gear back on, she got a huge smile on her face and told me to go ride, because she'd like to go with me, knowing she wasn't able.  Grandma Haller is also my hero.  Because she values and encourages things she is not able to do.  She doesn't feel sorry for herself; she shines light and encouragement on those who are able.

I am able.  And, I am beyond words grateful.