The Man Behind the Crowd

This morning was just like any other morning during the week.
I dragged myself out of bed at 6:30, got ready, and headed to school.
The place that I typically park is a little bit of a walk but ironically enough is actually the closest spot there is from the Physical Science building where I have my first class.
As I was minding my own business walking to class today I heard this repetitive tapping. I looked to my left and saw an old man somewhat hidden behind a large group of students with his head facing directly forward and a distant look written across his face. His eyes were glassed over, he seemed to be listening intently. Then his left arm appeared from the side of the crowd and he swung it casually has he walked along. Then I saw it... the source of all the tapping... and it brought tears to my eyes. Extended form his right hand was a long pole that repeated the pattern right, left, right, left. The man was blind.

I couldn't stop thinking about him all day, the man behind the crowd. I experienced one of those moments where the whole world comes into focus and I realized how truly lucky I am and how much I take it for granted. I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a world without color, light, or newness. To live without seeing the beauty in the changing of the seasons, or recognizing a familiar face in a crowd where you feel all alone. I wanted to take his hand and guide him to where he needed to go.

Often we rely on faith to get us through hard times... faith in tomorrow, faith in 20 years from now, faith in what comes after this life. Imagine the faith it must take for this man to even cross the street? I've never seen a person who probably has even half as much faith as this old man has.

This sweet old man does not know the kind of impact he had on me and he probably never will.
I'm grateful that I was given eyes that can see the beauty in the world.
I'm grateful I was given legs that let me run and dance, arms that let me write/work/cook/play the piano/do everything, a voice that lets me speak freely and sing at the top of my lungs, a heart that is beating for at least one more day. One more day I could be making a difference.
He reminded me that in the darkness, we can all find light....