Wheel Joy, Light Someone’s Moment Week Jan 23-29

In President Obama’s Union speech he used inspirational storytelling of real people to speak about three goals for his country.  This week and the next 48 ones will be stories about real people. My stories will be about moments in time inspiration or a life experience of what is happening now.  Here is one such story.

While on the train going to class, the driver announced that there would not be any working lifts to street level at Lambert North station.  Everyone could exit at Waterloo for the ten minutes walk or walk the 84 steps up to street level at Lambert North.  No way, I said in silence, I was not walking to Waterloo as I was already late for my class, so I braved a slow snail’s pace for the stairs.  I braced myself for this ordeal.  From the platform I pulled up into my core body and walked 20 steps towards the lift area.  At the turning, I saw an elder woman who seemed to be confused, mumbling out loud and walking back and forth from the lifts’ area.  When I arrived at the entrance to the stairs she dropped her head and stood silently near the entrance.  Ms Sciatica was frowning into a Black Dog moment; I smiled through my teeth to her saying, ‘No way John Wayne, not today.’

Me: The lifts aren’t working today.  We were instructed to walk the 84 steps.

Lady: I don’t know if I can walk those stairs.

Me: We will support each other, smiling; don’t worry you can do it.

She stepped up four of the steep and circular concrete stairs with steel rails for grip support upward and her Black Dog appeared as well the smell of dampness.  There were damp urinated smell and black mop water in the crevices of the concrete, like London’s dungeons in the days of old.  The lights were dim and spooky with sounds of fast footsteps coming up and going, behind and in front of us.  

Lady: I can’t go any further with this heavy bag (rucksack with books).

She stopped and leaned forward as though her body had no control of its own, to push itself up the stairs.  I paused two steps behind her to observe the situation.

Me: Can you put the bag on your back?

She was already leaning far into the winding stairs, overweight, swollen feet with a slight hunch over the shoulders.  She was silent at my suggestion, as she stopped in her tracks with one foot forward and the other on the back step, as though in prayer.   Maybe a pray to the legs.

 Me: Give me your bag.

Lady: It’s heavy.

Me.  Don’t worry.  I will manage.  Take my carrier bag.

She looked at me, as though to say, ‘and you would do that for me’.

Lady: It’s very light.

She dragged herself up a few more steps like someone with a large sack of potatoes.  At this moment I was feeling her Black Dog, so I speeded up the stairs to get in front of her in hopes that my presence would motivate and encourage her to soldier onward.  I continued with a slow and steady balance of stepping so that Ms Sciatica wouldn’t have a chance to complain.  My 36 steps at home prepared me for this moment.  Thank the good Lawd for strong arms and legs, I say to my yoga teacher, Toby.  With my shoulder bag of books and her rucksack on my left side, I was able to hold on to the the railing for support.  Being in front helped her to continue upward.  Her Black Dog moaned and groaned at every step but I ignore them with my steady climbing.  When we got to the first landing, I waited with a smile until she caught up.

Me: You’re at the first landing.  Keep going. 

She lifted her head and managed to smile.  There were only a few more steps to go before seeing daylight. 

Me:  We are here.  Yipee.

There were men, young and older, speeding up and down the stairs, as though in a marathon.  They didn’t bother to lift their heads to ask if we needed any assistant.  Just like some mothers’ children [a comedy sitcom from the 60’s England].   

Lady: Oh, thank you.  What would I have done without you?

Me: You would have walked every step or wait until the morning.

The station’s attendant said that the lifts would be out for the day. 

She finally lifted her back to standing and gave me the biggest hug.  Bigger than a bear, smile.  We walked out of the station in the same directions only to discover that we were students at the same college studying different courses, she crafts and me printmaking.  We said our goodbyes and went to different buildings.

You can say that this stranger got a bite of joy and she will remember that journey for a very long time.  Oprah would love this story.  Some stories are so strong that they stay with us forever.  Stories make us laugh.  They make us cry.  They make us shout for joy.  A great story makes you feel and that’s what a story is about.  What’s your story.  Be well with a joyful heart to give another, a good moment in their day.  Dorothy