crimson skies

The View from Marine Drive

blind leading the blind

blind_by_brokenheartART

“…And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matt 15. Thursday taught me otherwise.

It hadn’t been a very eventful day. I was pacing the office with josh whose eyes were drooping, and ‘96 degrees in the shade’ was playing softly on repeat in the background, (A colleague of mine has this obsession with reggae and all things Rastafarian) when the door opened slowly and two men came through it, one clinging to the door frame, and the other clutching a cane and holding on to the first man.

They were both obviously visually impaired and I wondered how they had got to my office. My office is on the first floor of the building, and to get here you have to navigate a narrow flight of steps. I stared stupidly, until I realized that I had to speak to make my presence known.

They announced that they’re raising money to buy white canes for White Cane Day and any contribution would be greatly appreciated. I spoke to the guys at work and we handed some money over. There again, they surprised me. How did they know how much money I had handed them? Did they ‘blindly’ (how ironic) trust that I had given them exactly the amount I said I had? Or did they have some way of knowing which note was which?  My heart suddenly felt a bit heavier. I held the door open for them while they made their way out – slowly – gripping the walls to try to find some clue to their surroundings.

“They’re both blind!! how can they help each other to navigate!!“

There was a hole in my gut.

This isn’t the first time I’d encountered a visually impaired human being. The first time was much worse. A blind man came to my previous office selling Christmas cards. It hit me how helpless he must feel. Did he feel that the whole world had it better than him? How easily someone could take advantage of him. I couldn’t control the tears, back then. But it amazed me to see how he sorted his money. He touched  each note, sniffed it and transferred it to a pouch that he had on him> the 20s 50s and 100s all neatly bundled separately. It was beyond me.

I’m afraid of the dark. If I’m ever in a dark room i feel all claustrophobic. And to imagine someone living in a perpetual state of darkness – that is unreal.

I wonder if they have a better grip on life. I have so much respect for them. For people who don’t let their physical disability hold them back. If I had one ounce of that resolve I know I’d be a better person.

On Days Like This…

…you just want to

*skip the preview and jump straight to the movie.

*Skip the sugar-coating and jump straight to the truth.

*skip the foreplay and jump straight to the fuck.

There are days_by_vampire zombie

“lurrrrrve”

Love_by_yavorancho

I try to say I don’t like being tagged  – but I’m a liar. I also try to be a cynic when it comes to love, but I’m still a believer.

I believe that real love can and does happen – but I don’t think it lasts. Not in every single case, at least.

Sometimes love comes naturally, and other times – you learn to love.

Love is Trust. And if you can’t trust,  you can’t fully love.

Love is the perfect hug – where your body and his fit  like pieces of a puzzle and just for a moment you forget what hurt.

Love is watching josh sleeping. or smiling – and wanting to become a better person for his sake.

Love is the right song at the right time.

Love is Saturday afternoon lunch, gossip and movie with my best friend.

Love is all the little inside jokes from Beauty and the Beast, and whatnot.

Love is someone calling you up at night to play his guitar and sing for you.

Love is my parents – for accepting me no matter what I’ve done.

Love is a canine companion. (Try finding that kinda love anywhere else. I dare you.)

Love is sacrifice.

Love is being vulnerable – but not caring that you are.

Love is the one thing that no one can do without.

And Love is imperfect. Simply because people aren’t imperfect.

I tag Cadence (cz i THINK she hasn’t been tagged yet), Mr. Haichi Roku (Cz he may have a differnt take on things), the Tubelight (because I <3 him and he never fails to entertain me) and Killromeo (Just cz I know he’ll hate it)

And lastly : Thank you muchly to Black Rose for tagging me