I'm not sure just how to put these thoughts on paper - and before I start, let me say that I am not using the older gentleman's real name in order to protect his privacy. But my encounter with him this evening made such an impression that I can't get it out of my mind.
Since we moved to Bay View about ten year ago I've seen Andy and a younger man walking together in our neighborhood. I got the feeling that it was father and son….slowly walking together so that the older man (somewhere in his 80's I'm sure) enjoy the day and get some exercise. We never spoke but I knew they lived somewhere nearby.
Tonight I was walking Fenway around the block after dinner. As I approached our yard I saw the older man at the corner across the street by the stop sign. He was just sort of walking back and forth a few steps and looking up and down the street. He was alone. I did not see his companion anywhere on the sidewalk. Something told me he was confused and I should pass our driveway, continue to the corner and just say hello.
He noticed me and crossed the street as I approached. When I smiled and said "Hello" he replied, "I'm not sure how to say this, but sometimes I get lost". I asked if I could help in any way and all he could tell me was his street number - the address where he lived. So I assured him that we would walk together and we would find his way home.
I made small talk, he responded appropriately and we went down the block. He told me he lived next to Sid's Auto Repair - so I knew we were close. I told him it was a nice spring evening, a good time to go for a walk and he agreed. I told him my dog was lucky because now our walk was longer than we planned. I asked if he needed to take my arm for support and he said "No, I'm fine….not that holding your arm wouldn't be nice!" When we spotted his house, and it was the correct street number he stopped to give me a hug and thank me. His last words to me were "Don't tell my son!" I told him not to worry….that our walk together would be our secret. And I slowly walked back home…..glancing back over my shoulder to be sure he was able to open his door and go safely inside.
But I have to wonder - should I tell his son, leave a note or something. This time everything worked out just fine, but what about next time? What if he walks farther before realizing that he is "lost". What if no one stops to say "can I help"? How do I honor his desire for independence with perhaps a greater concern for his safety.
What would you do?
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