We spent spring break week with Michelle's family in Oregon. On our way up, we had lunch at our favorite little restaurant. We were able to eat outside on their patio. My body has been very achy and just to be careful on unfamiliar ground, I used my cane all week. As we were leaving, I was heading inside to the restroom and was walking behind a server with her arms full of dirty dishes. As she leaned her back into the door of the restaurant, she saw me coming. She stopped until I reached the door and pushed it open for me. I thanked her profusely for noticing and waiting.
As I was leaving, a young couple left just ahead of me. For some reason the young man turned back, saw me and opened and held the door for me. Again I offered profuse thanks for his noticing and waiting.
There is not a thing that said those two people (a busy server and a young person at play) should stop and wait to hold a door for an old lady, but they did. I was So Grateful.
Having fallen trying to go through a heavy door on my own with my oxygen in my hand, I am really anxious about doors. Several times over the course of the week, I requested someone open the door for me with a bit of an explanation beyond age for my request. The cane helped, I'm sure. Every time, the answer was of course, a smile, and gracious door holding.
Not only was respect shown on their part but hope was raised on mine. We read so much negative news about how people treat each other these days, it was really nice to be a part of respect and civility and good old fashioned kindness.
