She inspires me.
She moves, not with speed but with a quiet determination. Her gait is uneven and each step clearly requires a level of concentration that most of us don’t put to use often. She comes even on the coldest, rawest days, and as I sit in the comfort and warmth of my store and glance out the window I feel the chill going down my back as it must go down hers, even through her winter coat and scarf. When asked why she walks in a parking lot as part of her journey towards her goal, her answer is clear and direct: “Because here, if I fall, someone will be there to help me. If I fell on a path or in a park, I could wait a long time for assistance.” No embarrassment, no avoiding the question, just pure common sense.
She inspires me.
There is a smile on her face even through the hours of slow work. She is cheerful when I grouse at the cold blustery day. She matches me smile for smile on my better days. I wonder at her definition of long term success. Too many people are focused on material things. She is focused on getting better, getting stronger, being able to walk – maybe even stride – with confidence. I find myself looking forward to seeing her out the window, sharing a wave and a smile. I look forward to seeing her progress and I hope that I will soon have progress of my own (even though it is a different type) to share with her.
She inspires me.
