Frank, moving the white stick left to right, slowly moved
along the walkway. He’d walked along the same path for many, many years, with today
being a special day. It was his birthday. Normally he’d have company, a family
member or even a neighbour that would help him on his way, but today was a day
when he simply wished to buy cakes for everyone at home.
He’d called a few days early, ensuring that there would be
enough cakes upon the day, with today being that exact day. Ten eclairs, four
iced doughnuts, as well as the delectable assortment of cream cakes. The stick
continued to swipe left and right, searching for anything that might block his
path. He wasn’t blind, as he still retained a small amount of sight from one
eye. Tunnelled. A small, fine, reduced view of the world.
As he moved forward, thinking of which cake he’d gloriously
devour, he felt a hand upon the side of his arm. He stopped, moving his head to
the side, despite not being able to quickly focus upon whomever had stopped
him, “Hello?” he asked, with surprise.
“Hey Mr. Thomas, It’s Francis from down the street. Can I
walk with you?”
“Yes, you can young Man, yes you can!”
Frank did like Francis, as he was an upstanding, genuine
sounding, young individual with his head strapped firmly to his shoulders. As
they moved forward, Frank placed his hand onto Francis’ arm, allowing him to
move forward that bit faster. Guided, trusting, happy for the assistance.
“Tell me, young man, what have you been up to?”
“I’ve been researching for my biomedical engineer’s exam.
It’s been fun, but tiring!”
Frank smiled, finding the young man’s enthusiasm a breath of
fresh air. He’d spoken to Francis on many occasions. A bright mind, a young
mind, eager, willing, still seeing the world for what it could or even should
be.
“Well, you keep on doing what you’re doing!”
They both stepped forward a few more steps, as Frank heard
the silence between them. He wasn’t a backward person when moving forward, so
simply engaged,
“Talk to me Francis. What would you like to ask?”
Francis felt awkward, but had been meaning to ask the
question, sat within his mind, a few times. He couldn’t ignore the question,
but needed to learn or even try to appreciate the possible answer from Frank.
“It’s an odd question, but how do you stay so upbeat and
happy? You never ask for a thing, yet
you always want to help and offer words of wisdom!”
Frank laughed, lowering his head as he reflected upon the
question. He could, probably, find a hundred different things to say, but
instead he just let whatever sat within his mind appear from his mouth.
“Francis, you two options for the various things that happen
to you in life. Ignorance or acceptance. My eyes left me when I was ten years
old. I was a happy child, full of energy, just like you, but my sight wasn’t
who I am or what I’ve become. I came to accept the situation for what it is. You
can spend your entire life with sight, yet still be blind. You can hear
everything around you, but still be deaf!”
Francis paused for a second, taking a few moments for his
words to settle into the young Man’s mind.
“You will never be your religion. You will never be the
colour of your skin or the sexuality that you state that you are, as you are the
words you say and the thoughts that you think. Everything else is blinding you,
deafening you to what your heart really wants. Every word, precious. Every
action, worth something. Right or wrong. I lost my sight but gained an
understanding. When you switch off the lights all that you have left is your
sense of touch and the words people use. I decided to stay bright. I decided to
light my own world.”
Francis, listening to each word, felt the emotion rise
within him. He’d known full health, full ability, so couldn’t truly understand
how the loss of sight would impact his life. Frank felt the emotion from the
young man, as they both stopped.
“Francis. We adapt. We’re human beings. Take something from
us and we will replace what’s missing with acceptance and understanding. Well,”
Frank started to laugh as he finished the sentence, “Most will!”
They both continued to move forward, crossing the road
towards the Bakery. Frank mussed over his thoughts, wondering what life would
have been like if the events didn’t happen as they did. He didn’t regret any
actions, any of his decisions, since that time.
“Thank you!” stated Francis, as the both of them stood in
front of the store.
“That’s okay Francis. Remember, no matter what you see, or
hear, the powers that be wish for you to be deaf, as well as blind, to the
working ways. Ignore the media. Keep thinking for yourself and no matter how
blind you think you are, listen to the words and watch their actions.
Eventually, hopefully, you will always be able to see! Take care young man.”
Francis squeezed Frank’s arm, nodding to himself, as he
turned and walked away. Frank, smelling the sweet pastries inside the store,
also turned to face the entrance. No matter what happened in his life, he
didn’t need to see the cakes in front of him, as he could smell and imagine
them just fine.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.