a nyc lesson

a while ago i saw a blind man navigating the subway system.
when i looked a bit closer i realized this blind man was with a woman.
this woman was also blind.
so on this day i saw a blind couple navigating the subway system.
one with a seeing eye dog, the other with a cane.
there is nothing quite as humbling as seeing such a scene.
i met them at a subway intersection where at least 6 lines interconnect.
this means utter subway chaos.
it means stairways that lead to other stairways that cross over tunnels that wind around to other tunnels that finally lead you to your desired subway ride.
doing this while seeing is a daunting task.
blind would be impossible.
yet they were doing it- and it made me grateful for some rather odd things attributed to sight.
here's my list:

1. grateful to wait at crosswalks- 

2. grateful to trip so it makes me more aware to look and makes me aware that i have the ability to look to avoid it next time.  

3. grateful for a million and one confusing signs that lead me certain areas. 

4. which makes me grateful for confusion caused by sight. 

5. grateful to be cut off on the streets because it makes me even more grateful i can see to avoid running into someone or something. 

6. grateful for every crazy expression i see cross peoples faces- because it helps me decide how to or if i should approach someone and how i should respond to them. 

these are just a few of the nyc specific reasons i have learned to be more grateful for things i usually wouldn't think to be grateful for.
i always take for granted so many things.
i am grateful to learn from others every day in this city.
grateful they make me want to be more grateful.
thankful they help me be better just by being them.
here's hoping today we each find one less thing to not take for granted.
because by not taking things for granted we find happiness.
happy sunday everyone.