On a recent bitterly cold Sunday morning, my golden retriever, Quincy, coaxed me out of my warm bed to go outside. As I was shivering and trailing behind him down the sidewalk, I noticed an elderly man, stooped and shuffling slowly on the icy sidewalk across the street.
My impulse was to rush to his side. However, I fought the urge to offer help; I have known some very old but very strong and able people who fiercely protected their independence. So, glancing in his direction now and then, I made my way around the block.
When I chanced upon him again, I was pained to see that he had advanced only a few feet.
This time, I approached him. He looked up as my dog happily bounded toward him and I called out, “Are you OK? Be careful, it’s very icy!” To which he grinned and waved me off, saying, “No, no, I’m fine. This is as far as I go.”
With that he shuffled around and began his journey back home. I was humbled by his strength and spirit.
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