I witnessed something amazing today. I feel blessed that I was there at such a time, and that even though I was walking my bike and talking to my good friend, I still noticed a beautiful act of love.
Scene: the crazy city of Philadelphia, intersection of 19th st and chestnut st, known for: lots of people in a rush, crazy drivers, high intensity center city action!
What Happened: I saw a 30-40 something man helping an older woman with a walker and her friend across the street. This wasn't just any run-of-the-mill old lady crossing....bless this woman's heart, she was putting all her worldly might into every centimeter-long stride. Her friend was right there by her side....but when a street crossing can almost compare to an English Channel crossing in energy spent....it's probably nice when a younger man comes along to stand by your side and touch your back to make sure that you safely get across.
If that wasn't enough beauty and love to witness for one day....introducing now: the cars waiting at the stop light. When the light turned green and the woman wasn't even halfway across the street, guess what happened. EVERYONE WAITED. not only did they wait, they didn't even honk, or look impatient, or throw their arms up in stress that they were going to be late because of what was happening in front of their car. NO ONE HONKED....not even the many cars behind the first cars at the light. NO ONE HONKED! IN PHILADELPHIA! did I mention one of those cars at the front was a cab? cab didn't honk either.
And they waited.....and they all missed the light....and they waited patiently for this woman to fight her way to take every step. As if they understood that their problems and needs could wait, because something much more difficult and valiant was taking place before their eyes.
And it took my breath away. And if I hadn't been on the phone, I probably would've cried.
And I feel like everyone who was in that moment, who saw what I saw, felt something amazing....someone struggling, and someone loving and helping them. What an act of pure love and compassion can do and spread!
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