My blog’s doing good!

Twenty-five years ago she was the loud little girl next door … and I was probably the creepy old guy next door. Now she lives across the country, mother to three boys, and will always be a family friend.

I just got this email …

You know I read your blog, right?

So here’s a story you might like:

A few weeks ago I was at the movies with a friend, and the place was crowded, with ropes sectioning off lines and sections and stuff. These parents were standing in front of their son, who was in a wheelchair. They were trying to pull the chair forward, but the chair had gotten caught on the ropes somehow. They saw me from behind their son (there was a crowd, they couldn’t just walk around the other side of the ropes or wheelchair. I have no idea how they got in this situation, but this is what I saw when the mom got my attention), and asked me to help push the chair forward.

Of course, the first thing I thought was “sure,” but then I remembered how you pay a small fortune for your wheelchairs and I thought if I break this thing it may be kind of a big deal. So I leaned around to look at the kid in the face, and I was basically like, “listen, you know how this thing works way better than I do, so if you think I’m doing something wrong or about to do something wrong, say so or raise a hand or something, and I’ll stop right away.” He didn’t say anything, but he nodded, and his eyes got all big. So I pushed slowly, he went forward, and the dad took the chair as soon as he could get in back of it.

I looked at the mom, and she had tears in her eyes, and I thought I’d messed up. But then she said, “strangers don’t usually talk to him like that.” She was grateful, she was saying thank you. I felt really good, let me tell you. (I got kind of sad at the idea that the mom was so happy someone was actually TALKING TO HER SON LIKE A PERSON and ASKING FOR HIS INPUT, but I’m sure you know all about that.)

So that’s my story. Your blog’s doing good.

It’s because of a story like that that I know my “blog’s doing good.” And you know what, you’re doing good, too. Thanks for sharing.