Top_Heavy's World

As I drove down the snowy road, I was amazed at what I saw. The gut wrenching scene made me get out of my truck and try to do something. I was in an older part of town, in a rural type setting; parks, trees, and brushy areas. Many open, empty lots, the houses torn down and the lots grown over by weeds, inhabited by rabbits in the warmer seasons. Now these empty areas served as snow fields, places for the snow to pile and then be blown across the streets. The streets in this neighborhood aren't plowed enough anyway, and with the blowing snow, they are a nightmare. The truck up ahead moved way to the left, a concious decision to avoid something in the road. The next car did the same, hardly hitting it's brakes, the driver barely even looked over. As I got onto that block I could see reason...
It was obvious by the leg sticking out straight she couldn't walk. Her other leg kicked franticly trying to avoid more oncoming cars. She looked so helpless. Tired and alone in the -6 degree cold, in the middle of a street, unable to move. I was crushed, I felt myself feel pity, sorrow and shame. I felt my inner being well up with rage. HOW COULD PEOPLE JUST DRIVE BY HER WITH OUT DOING SOMETHING? We are humans, we are compassionate, we are supposed to be helpful. We are supposed to do what was right. Being the outdoorsman I am, I locked up the brakes, pulled over to my shoulder and jumped out. I didn't even think of my hat or gloves, this was far too pressing, she was stranded and unable to move. The steam from her ragged breathing was obvious sign of her exersion. She was done in. I moved towards her and her eyes went wild. She didn't expect me to be so decent.
She was a nice looking woman, probably in her late 40's but weathered due to hardship and effort, so age was hard to tell. She had several layers of clothing on, an ordeal in itself, judging by her staight leg, only her foot seemed to move. Her hair was dark, long and neatly brushed, I noticed because I had to move it aside so I could grab the handles of her chair. She was frustrated, her wheelchair was stuck in a tire rut. She was embarrassed and ashamed. The sidewalks of her neighbors had not been cleaned and she was forced to go 2 blocks to her bus stop for transportation. She was out of breath and couldn't even answer when I asked if I could help. She pointed up the hill, when I asked her which way. The tracks in the snow told my experienced eyes the tale. She had stopped to look up the sidewalk. Her good foot touched the ground once, twice, then she used it to push herself towards the only other option. The street was rutted and dangerous on foot, as quickly seen, too much for narrow wheels. Her chair had slid sideways, thru one rut and into the middle, where a bowl shaped area was her demise.
I asked her "forwards or backwards?" "What ever." was her only response. I looked at the incline ahead and I braced my boots for the push. We made it to the top, to the "T" intersection with another street. She asked if I could push her farther. Apparantly the bumpy ride wasn't too scarry. I turned left as asked and continued on our journey. She asked me to take her to the next intersection where the bus stops, going both ways. I took my time, liking the feeling. I was blessed for sure. I was able to take some minutes out of my busy day to help a total stranger. I kept to my duties until she pointed to a clear spot across the street. We made it through traffic, and I turned her to face the street. She smiled and said "You are an angel, a blessed Angel. Thank You." and I left her.
I felt mixed emotiions as I walked the many blocks back to my truck, unlocked in a rough neighborhood. The cold was now noticable in my light jacket, the heavy stuff still in the back seat. My hands felt the icy chill and my ears began to burn. I felt whole and alive, sorry to not be able to do more, I felt heroic and happy. I felt sorry for the poor people in such a hurry... they passed by that wonderful feeling. Those miserable soals so worried only about themselves. Those lost ones that barely hit the brakes to avoid missing her. I am glad I stopped. I am glad I helped. We feel best when we do what is right!