The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically astheattractive young woman with the white cane made her waycarefullyup the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands tofeel thelocation of the seats, walked down the aisle and found theseathed told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed herbriefcaseon her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to amedicalmisdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she wassuddenlythrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration andself pity.And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with allhisheart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sinkintodespair and was determined to help his wife gain the strengthandconfidence she needed to become independent again.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how wouldsheget there? She used to take the bus, but was now too fcenterenedtoget around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive hertowork each day, even though they worked at opposite ends ofthecity.
At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Marks needtoprotect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performingtheslightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangementwasntworking. Susan is going to have to start taking the busagain, headmitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, soangry - howwould she react?
Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea oftakingthe bus again. Im blind!, she responded bitterly. How amIsupposed to know where I am going? I feel like youreabandoningme.
Marks heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had tobedone. He
promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride thebuswith her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang ofit.
And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks,Mark,military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from workeachday. He taught her how to rely on her other senses,specificallyher hearing, to determine where she was and how toadapt her newenvironment. He helped her befriend the bus driverswho could watchout for her, and save her a seat.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip onherown. Monday morning arrived, and before she center, she threwherarms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, herhusband,and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears ofgratitude forhis loyalty, his patience, and his love. She saidgood-bye, and forthe first time, they went their sete ways.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her ownwentperfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it!Shewas going to work all by herself.
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As shewaspaying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, Boy, I suredoenvy you.
Susan wasnt sure if the driver was speaking to her or not.Afterall, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who hadstruggledjust to find the courage to live for the past year?Curious, sheasked the driver, Why do you say that you envyme?
The driver responded, It must feel good to be taken care ofandprotected like you are.
Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, andagainasked, What do you mean?
The driver answered, You know, every morning for the past week,afine looking gentleman in a military uniform has beenstandingacross the corner watching you as you get off the bus. Hemakessure you cross the street safely and he watches until youenteryour office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you alittlesalute and walks away. You are one lucky lady.
Tears of happiness poured down Susans cheeks. For althoughshecouldnt physically see him, she had always felt Markspresence.She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift morepowerfulthan sight, a gift she didnt need to see to believe - thegift oflove that can bring light where there isdarkness.(實習編輯:顧萍)