Did you hear the one about....

So a few weekends ago, Evan and I attended a seminar called "Through your child's eyes". It was about raising a blind or visually impaired kid. There was a lecture by a 100 yr old doctor, some new technological info, a simulation experience and a chance to meet other parents. The most informative segment was the panel discussion: 2 VI kids, 2 parents and a woman who is visually impaired. The kids were amazing! The moderater proposed questions to the panel and each person would respond.

When asked about their biggest personal challenge...A soft spoken middle schooler - whom I assumed was from India (not that it makes any difference but it's important to emulate the cadence and lilt in his speech) - responded that kids at his age can be very cruel. He said that he has chosen his friends on the basis of their 'disabilites'. They all sit together at lunch. "I have one friend who is very skinny - but he isn't anorexic. My other friend is very short - but he's not...(a dwarf, someone piped in). Another friend has leukemia." He then added quietly, "Do you know the story of the blind man who has a friend with no feet? The blind man has feet and his friend can see."

I think this kid is related to Gandhi.

O'Puppy...Obama...

Creed's favorite word at the moment is "Puppy". Sure, he says lots of other stuff, but the first word out of his mouth in the morning is "Puppy". When I walk in the house, he points to the outside and says "Puppy". When he goes to bed at night, he says "Puppy." We try to let him see puppies as much as possible. This past weekend in the glorious weather at Town Lake, it was a veritable puppy fest...

So then, the other day he heard someone say "Obama". (Disclaimer: Personally, my heart belongs to Hillary, but I will support whoever gets the Democratic nomination.) Creed then would say "Obama" both randomly and on command with a big smile on his face. The true test came when I asked him who he wanted for president. He hesitated and smiled and replied "O'Puppy".

Most people are just afraid...

of offering help to strangers. I don't think it's because they don't want to...it's more that they just don't know how.

I was in my shop this weekend when I looked outside and saw a blind man in the street. Not on the sidewalk, but actually on the street walking along the bumpers of parked cars. Traffic was slowing down, carefully avoiding him but no one was stopping. As I turned and saw him and headed out the door to ask him if he needed help, a car slowed and rolled down their window. Finally! I approached, asked where he was going, and offered my arm. He was looking for the Continental Club...2 blocks from my shop but on the opposite side of the street. As we walked to the corner, we chatted about the area and I described the direction he would need to take as we waited for the light to change. Luckily the crosswalk has a beeping green light, when it's safe for pedestrians to cross. I asked if he had any sight, he said he was totally blind. He was from the UK. I told him about Zelda. I imagined her someday navigating the streets of a European country trying to find her way. I wanted to chat more but the light started to change. At that moment, there were 2 other gentlemen readying to cross - very "euro-chic" in their expensive jeans and slicked-back hair. I was trying to explain to the blind man that he needed to cross the street and then, turn right and immediately cross again when I suddenly blurted out "Here are two gentlemen that will help you across and point you in the right direction". The "Euros" looked shocked and then nodded. I said good-bye, went back into my shop and then looked out the window to see the "Euros" actually helping the blind man cross the second intersection and then direct him up the street to go and hear some afternoon music at the Continental. Sometimes you just have to ask if someone needs a hand.

And frankly, I don't know how often I would help a stranger in need before Zelda came into our lives. I am sure it wasn't as often as I could have...