A Walk To Remember

The monorail opened and in came a blind man, no more than 25 years old. There were plenty of empty seats in there but no one seemed to bother to direct him. I think the worst person in there was me, because I see all this happening yet chose to join in indifference.

It was the second last station so I guess everybody in there thought that, "It's only one station left. He could hold that short a period." And no, I'm not trying to justify our ignorance.

I'm the kind of person who believes that everyday, every moment is a test, that life is a series of chances; chances to make decisions and to grow. That day, the entire time I was in that train watching that man without sight, lots of things went through my indecisive mind. I wanted so bad to stand up and help him. But I stupidly let exhaustion draw me down. The ride was only about 3 minutes, but I felt an immeasurable guilt for not being able to put other people's needs ahead of mine. "Selfish," I said to myself.

But I guess I was given a second chance, for when the monorail opened to unload the passengers, I was nearest to him and my hands were used to catch him before he accidentally stepped into the rail. And i heard him said the most grateful "Thank You" I've ever heard from anyone.

"Where are you heading?"

"I'm going to KL Central."

Folding his rod, I took his hands and said, "Come, I'll take you there."

"But won't you be late?" he asked.

At that time I was just amazed... at how someone like him, lacking one sense than me, a sense that if I do not have would have killed me as a person and make me bitter, would actually thought of whether or not I might be late for my destination. It's not much, but just the thought of him having the time to stop and thought of people's needs - no matter how small it is - awes me.

And we began a conversation. We walked passed the traffic, people, eyes... and talked about so many things. Albert likes to read. He lives with his brother and father. His mother left when they were small. He's a Christian. He used to have sight but lost it in an accident. That day, he fasted, due to religious matters. He was heading for the Maybank office at KL Central.

Among all that we talked about, there was one sentence that touched me, a sentence that I've heard many times before, but never really listened to what it really means.

"So you're used to walking around on your own?"

"Yes, I used to need guidance a lot. But now I'm fine on my own."

"Well, that means you have very good senses."
"I use whatever God has given me. I thank Him for letting me have all the other senses."

I smiled. Indicating how true his words were, while hiding the guilt and shame i felt within myself for never appreciating what I have. Albert is blind. He cannot see. I use my eyes every single day, in everything that I do. I can't imagine what I would do without it. I know I would be very, very angry if God would ever take them away from me. But this man I'm holding, thanked God instead...

Many times in our life we take for granted the things that we have, things that we were born with, things that we were born into, things that makes up our life, thinking that these things would always be around, like we'd never run out of it. How often do we stop to think and appreciate TODAY? It couldn't be by chance that we're given another day to live.

We reached the bank and I left him there. "Thank you so very much... for taking me here but especially for talking to me," he said.

No, Albert. Thank YOU. If only you know what huge deed you've done for me. I might have helped you see your way through to KL Central. But you've helped me to really SEE, my way through life.

The walk didn't even take us more than 15 minutes. But the effect was profound. The whole incident might not be a big deal to most people, but it was to me. For that day, I met an angel in disguise...