Rolling Thunder

"The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover it was never fish that you were after." - Thoreau

Late on Friday afternoon, I decided to walk over to the nearby grocery store to get a few things.  It was quite warm but pleasant with a gentle breeze.  Just as I was entering the store through the automatic door, a scruffy looking man alone in a wheelchair was exiting.  He had a bag on his lap containing a few items that he had just purchased.  I couldn't help but notice and was looking at him as we passed by each other.  Don't ask my why, I can't explain it, but we made a strange eye-contact.  It was as if we both wanted to say something to each other.  An odd feeling came over me.

I continued inside, got a few items, checked out and exited the store.  As I was making my way through the plaza, I came across the man in his chair waiting a few stores down outside on the sidewalk.  Again, we made a strange eye-contact.  I got an uncomfortable feeling and thought that he might need some assistance.  I approached him and asked if he needed some help.  "Yes please, would you mind?" he replied.

I grabbed the handles of his chair and started pushing him not knowing his destination or if he was waiting for someone to pick him up.  After a brief silence, I asked him where he was going.  "I'm headed home he said, to my apartment up the street.  Would you mind terribly?" he asked.  I wasn't in any particular hurry to return home so I agreed not knowing how far of a trip it would be or how long it would take.

So I started wheeling him up the street along the sidewalk.  It is a busy street so traffic was passing by continually making it difficult to talk and hear.  He said that it was about a quarter of a mile but I think it ended up being closer to half a mile.  As we went along, at first we exchanged small talk and pleasantries.  Then he explained to me that his motorized chair had gotten a flat tire and he was waiting for it to be repaired and had decided to wheel himself to the store to get a few items.

Next he told me that in a couple of days he would be fifty-three years old.  I asked him if it was ok for me to inquire as to why he was in the chair.  "Legs don't work." he said.  "Drinking and driving when I was seventeen, been in the chair ever since."  My jaw dropped and my now-sweaty hands came off the handles of the chair for a moment.  In that instant, I could feel a lifetime of pain as I continued wheeling him up the street.  We crossed over several streets and he kept saying, "Not much farther."

Along the way we passed by a several people who waved and called out to him.  We eventually arrived at his apartment building.  A group of people were sitting outside on benches and greeted him.  He thanked me for getting him home and said that he was, "All set."  I came around to the front of the chair, looked him in the eyes and shook his hand.  As I made my way back home, I kept thinking about him, imagining what it must feel like for him since making that terrible mistake at age seventeen.  I was filled with emotion and my eyes watered.  We just never know, do we?  Live and learn.  That chance meeting was meant to be and left its indelible mark upon me.  We both parted and went our separate ways to continue living our lives just like ... rolling thunder ...

Author's Note

“In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood” - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a beautiful share. I love it when you write something straightforward & heartfelt like this. Your sincerity is strong & your ability to be self-searching & honest is the best part of this message. This is the first time I’ve read something from you in such a style & I have to say I really love it. Your usual style of wild word crafting in a playful flippant way now seems to be a bit of a cover-up to me -- similar to my own silly poetry, which is how I hide from the more serious topics most poets write about. I’m not saying you should write this way more often. I’m just saying it’s more precious becuz it’s a rare reveal of your more tender & caring parts (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

we all tend to hide our vulnerabilities. i have a lot of empathy for people and their situation. i really felt for this guy & it touched me so decided to share. thank you Margie for great insight and understanding, it is much appreciated ... :)

[flaco]

Well written. I like your writing style. This is a situation that should make one think.It could easily of been any of us in that chair as we have all made similar mistakes. Would we be as gracious as he was

[Pete]

indeed, an eye-opening experience that left me thinking and wondering. live and learn. thank you kindly sir ... :)

[emmajoy]

This is where heart and words create a moral we should all hold close. I've just re.read and notice not one word of self-pity from that darling man. And there's you.. able to remind us how to stand in another's world and think.. and feel. Wonderful language, big heart, memorable.

Thoreau usually knows best.

[Pete]

indeed em. mr. "T" had it right. a case of lightning striking and when you least expect it ... would have missed out had i not stepped out. i was deeply schooled in that chance encounter. the trick is to hold onto that lesson and carry it with us. appreciative thank you for your receptive heart dear one ... :)

[emmajoy]

It's how we should be.. if we remember what we should be. A truly memorable story.

[Giulia King]

It's frightening to think that one, just one little mistake can change the rest of your life. I'm so happy that you shared this story, soul bro! It really makes you stop and think!

[Pete]

thanks so much for your open heart sis. so true - we are all shaped by the things that happen in life but i can't imagine what it's like living with so costly a mistake. all we can do is be there with compassion and understanding ... :)