Got to clear my blog backlog. hmm, blog klog. Here goes:
Last Tuesday, I met Sijia to go look at guitars (she eventually
bought a Yamaha CG-111S) at Davies. We were done and waiting for KC
to call us, so that we could all go and have dinner together. While
waiting, we went and looked around the shops on the upper floors in
Peninsula.
And then, we met him - a blind man lost on the 3rd floor. He was
clearly confused and he was saying, "Please help..." My heart went
out to him. We found out that he had wanted to go to the first floor
but was somehow led astray and ended up on the third - the elevator
does not have Braille buttons.
He had merely wanted to get to the main road, but along the way I
found out that he needed to get to Capitol to take a bus. Anyway,
when we were reaching the road, he asked if we could bring him to
the busstop. Of course! and we did not hesitate. Actually, SJ was
nearly silent the whole time and I ended up doing almost all the
talking with him.
I gather from our conversation that he must have been blind since
many years ago. I don't think he feels any self-pity, and that was
good since we were then able to talk rather well. He asked me about
whether Capitol is a cinema, about the sort of shops found there,
and whether there were any interesting ones. I told him there are
galleries along the street and then I thought, "Oh no, will he feel
sad that he can't see the artworks? Did I just remind him of that?"
Then I remembered that some blind people like to know about their
surroundings. Not being able to see, hearing about it from someone
else is the next best thing. After years of being blind, most would
have matured and not pity themselves but instead make the most of
life. Indeed, it turns out that our new friend was in Peninsula
because he works there! He's a foot reflexology therapist on the 2nd
floor.
All this was while we were waiting for his bus. That took a really
long time, so we got to talk more. We even talked topics like
robotic cleaners and domestic maids! I also found out that at the
other end of the journey, someone from his family will be waiting at
the busstop, to bring him home. Everyday.
* * *
We are all blind to the dangers of this evil world. Problem is, some
of us do not even admit that they are blind and want to go it alone.
Danger abounds - they might get lost, or they will trip and fall.
Still others realise their blindness but choose to wallow in self-
pity.
Finally, there are those who recognise their own blindness and ask
for help. Not only do they get led on the right way, all the dangers
are pointed out to them in advance. With self-pity out of the way,
and instead having humility in its place, there is so much that can
be learnt, even in blindness. Life is also surely smoother, when you
do not have to keep bumping your head into things, if only you would
listen to those who can see.
Above all, there is always Someone who is waiting. Someone who will
be waiting, no matter how late you meet Him. He will be waiting,
even if you do not show up. But if you do, then He will bring you
home.
