This morning, during my daily commute to work, I missed my usual bus so I walked a few blocks to catch another connection bus. I boarded the bus and proceeded to the back, and then sat down in the very last row of seats. On my right about 3 feet in front of me, there was a woman reading, out loud, a first grade speller/phonics book. Judging by her stature, I’d guess her age in the 30-40 range. With a seat separating them, another passenger, a man, helped her with pronunciation when she stumbled on a word. Mind you, he was a stranger to her. I sat there, humbled, saddened and proud.
- Humbled because it reminded me not to take my mind for granted.
- Saddened because I thought about this woman and wondered how is it that she got this far in life without knowing how to read? What was her life like? Had she been abused? Neglected? Why weren’t the opportunities there for her?
I then was proud for three reasons:
- She was trying and not becoming frustrated by her mistakes. She kept going.
- A total stranger was helping her, asking nothing in return.
- I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, started by 7 teachers, designed to help educate others.
Every time I see a person, young, old, or in the middle, waste their potential by doing detrimental things to themselves (or others) it saddens my heart (not for me but them) because they could have done something great with their life. I guess I just wanted to say be thankful you have the ability to learn and grow and have the opportunities to move your life in any direction you want. Tomorrow is not promised (i.e. Sean Taylor). Use your brain to its fullest potential for your own growth and happiness.
This encounter only lasted about 10 minutes. When the bus pulled to our stop (BART Station), as everyone started getting off, I said to the man “Thank You” His response: “We’re all human and deserve to be treated as such and with dignity.” I smiled and nodded in agreement. We got off the bus and I saw the woman and said to her “Keep up your reading. You’re doing great” She smiled and said thank you and we both went on our separate ways.
The other thing I guess that I wanted to say is to not discount or look down on those who may not be as fortunate as you or I. They may not have the means of obtaining education or anything else but they deserve to be treated like human beings with dignity.
(off my soapbox now)
Hybrid Mode
