By Steve

Perspective.

It was a brief encounter, but I may never forget it.
I was standing on the corner of a busy intersection, waiting to cross the street. While waiting, I watched a man roll across the intersection in his wheel chair.

He was an older man, not too old, but a bit older than me I'd guess. He had just one leg, and he used it to push himself backwards through the intersection. As he got closer to me, within feet, I gently smiled. I guessed he was homeless (from the amount of stuff being stored on his wheel chair. I assumed he was poor. And obviously he had just one leg.

When he got close enough, I said hello. He kindly said hello back (At this point, most I encounter would ask for spare change or sort of brush me off).

Then I asked how he was doing (as if I couldn't tell I thought to myself).

Half speaking, half singing, he repeated several times "blessed, I am blessed." And he rolled away.