twenty-eight: on a cold winter's night

Happy CNY! It's been a tumultuous start to a new year but I take it as things can only go up from here. I feel like so many things have been blindsiding me lately, that nothing really seems to jar me anymore. Thankfully I still do sometimes notice the little things and here's an entry to a person I met because we happened to notice him.

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I don't know how you manage to live in Winnipeg, a place that is for the most part covered in snow for a good chunk of the year. It's hardly accessible and easy to get around for those of us who are able bodied. Cars need to be plugged in, scraped, and coaxed into starting. Buses rarely ever run on time. Walking outside for anything more than 10 minutes results in nose hairs freezing and rosy cheeks. But here you are. 

There happened to be a blizzard that day, and no this is not the kind of snow storm that Torontonians whine about, this was full blow white out conditions all morning which meant oodles and oodles of snow everywhere. The kind of snow that makes changing lanes an art, and seeing over the snowbanks akin to playing Russian Roulette - you never know what's behind the snowbank until it's too late. You were out that night, on one of the busiest streets in the city in your wheelchair and stuck in a rut. I don't know how many people walked by or drove by before we made the choice to at least help you over your little hurdle. I hope it wasn't too many, because it was definitely an unpleasant night to be stuck outside.

You were so thankful, and I was ready to head back on my way until I realized there was no way you could make it home. You were so gracious and humble in accepting my help, and I wish I could be more like that sometimes. You knew your limitations, and you weren't afraid to ask for help and to receive it. You weren't looking for pity, but rather just a helping hand and some understanding. You were a bit rambly, but you really made me think about humanity that night. It's so easy to get wrapped up in our lives, our problems, our issues, our baggage that we completely miss out on how even a small act can make a difference in someone else's life. It's those moments that truly define who you are, and I'm so glad you helped me find a part of myself again. I know it sounds corny but you warmed me up that night more than the mini-donuts at the end of the skating trail.