Two Little Ladies

It is L week and the beginning of this day lead to my attempt to act kindly.  I was driving to work and noticed that a ways down the street there were two older people walking.  As I drew closer and looked a little more closely and then passed, it appeared as though one of these people had fallen.  One leg was on the sidewalk and the other was on the street.  The position appeared awkward and the other person was leaning over.  I realized that what I initially thought was a carriage (I only saw the wheels) was actually a walker with attachments.  By the time it all registered I was past the pair and at the intersection.  I took a right and then another right into the bank in order to get back to the pair.  As I passed them on the other side of the street and looked more closely, both were curbside, sitting down.  It did not look as dire but then again, I thought, maybe the one couldn't help the other up.  I deliberated with myself.  Do I stop or not?  I turned onto the next block, parked, and took a walk up the road.  I approached and still was uncertain about the situation.  One woman was smoking.  The other woman, the one who appeared rather pale, almost gray skinned, was the one who seemingly had fallen.  I asked if the two were okay.  Both older ladies looked up and said, "Yes, we're just taking a rest."   I was not convinced and explained a bit further that I'd worried one had fallen.  They reiterated that they were just taking a rest and said "thank you."

As I walked back to my car, I thought to myself that I most likely would not have stopped if it were not for the lessons learned from the experience of keeping this blog and the experience of having read Betsy's blog.  I am glad the two little ladies were resting and not in a more precarious situation.  I am also grateful to Betsy for leading me to this place of more careful living in the moment and being aware of how I might live kindness more deeply and more often throughout each day.