With Dignity Preserved

I was moved by the simplest act the other day.

I was driving home from work, making the windy crawl through a residential area. Ahead of me, an old man wobbled forward in the direction I was driving. He wore black pants and a black jacket, and from his hat I judged him to be close to the age my father would be now, mid-80s. A few steps behind him was a young woman. She wore scrubs and carried a water bottle, and I instantly thought she was hired to keep track of him.

As he crossed a side street, he began to wander into the traffic lane and I slowed even more. The woman picked up her pace and moved between him and my lane. He straightened his direction and kept going without seeming to notice her presence.

I thought how wonderful she was to guide him without words or touch. She kept him safe without pointing out the fact that he wasn't able to walk straight. His pride could remain strong, he could focus on what he could do.

Not only did the woman's action make me feel warm, it made me want to thank her. There is such a fine line when helping the sick or aging to accomplish what they no longer can do on their own without reminding them or their failings. I felt that the part of the universe that this woman reaches is definitely better for her being in it.

I just hope she knows it.