In a recent walk back from Jericho Beach, I came upon a blind woman. Cane in hand, she veered her way up the sidewalk in front of me. Despite the back and forth movement, her feet knew their way. It was obvious that she had travelled this way before.
As I approached she bent over to the side and stopped. Not used to such a fast approach, I thought. I gave her space, acknowledged her in silence and continued on my way.
Then something happened.
I knew where he was going. His eyes were intent, looking into the distance. He's going to her, I thought. Slowing my pace, I turned to see. Sure enough, his arm reached out, she took it in hers, and linked, they walked ahead.
Up the sidewalk they paced, the blind and the sighted. I turned and continued on my way. I had things to do.
Eventually, I turned again – and stopped this time. The couple were crossing the busy street on the light. All the world had stopped it seemed. Only the blind and the sighted moved across the pavement, down the sidewalk several metres to a set of stairs. At the foot of the stairs, the couple parted, and the blind woman inched her way up the concrete steps to home.
I turned again, and continued on my way up the hill. I did not look back this time. There was nothing more to see. A moment in time, finished, over with, witnessed by only a few. Maybe I was the only one who saw it all – the coupling of the blind and the sighted, the journey together, the letting go when danger had passed.
It was accomplished. But, some things linger. Lingering were my thoughts of being too busy and intent on things personal to offer my arm to the blind woman. I knew not her destination, while the crossing guard attendant had obviously known her. Or so I assumed. 
What could I have done? Invited myself into the life of the blind? Imagine that. As I walked on I couldn't shake the thought of my single-mindedness. Sure, I had things to do, meetings to attend, places to go. But, such excuses did not satisfy. Like it or not, I had walked by on my busy way.
These feelings of mine may linger for a little while, but they will pass. Thankfully, certain things are eternal – like the image of the blind and the sighted arm in arm. Let those who have eyes, see.