This morning while making my way to work, I had trouble walking.

I had started off the day fine with my regular morning spasms. My legs were like rock, the muscles refusing to relax.

As I made my way to work, I noticed that my body wanted to go backwards. By the time I got to where I transfer busses, it was a struggle to walk.

My body kept wanting to tip backwards, to walk with my back parallel to the ground. I struggled with every step and kept trying to right myself as I walked.

I kept shuffling forward, two steps at a time. As I was struggling not to walk backwards and keep myself upright, a woman came towards me.

“Are you all right?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” I said. “Just going for my bus.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to, really. I’ll be okay.”

“You’re obviously having trouble. Let me wait with you for your bus and make sure you get on it safely.”

Nothing I said would dissuade the woman from waiting with me. While we waited, we talked of the coming winter, how dark it was out today and light things. She didn’t once look at me with pity or ask what was wrong with me. She was just a woman helping out a fellow human being.

When the bus came, she helped me get aboard. When I looked out at her, she waved at me, a large smile on her face.

That smile has followed me throughout the day and I will take it home with me. Thank you, whoever you were. Thank you.