Once a friend of mine was getting off a train in the Cleveland Terminal, and a young man got off in front of him, carrying a suitcase in one hand and a cane in the other.

The man walked awkwardly as he felt his way with the cane. "May I help you carry your suitcase?" my friend asked.

"No, thanks, I don't need any help with the suitcase," came the reply.

"But if you wish, you may guide me up these stairs so I won't run into anyone. I am blind and I have a new set of artificial legs. But I've got to learn to make my own way, you know."

When they got to the top of the stairs my friend took the young man rather firmly by the arm to guide him through the crowd entering the terminal. But the blind man stopped at once and spoke quietly:

"No, don't take possession of me, just guide me, please. Put your arm on my shoulder; that's all I need."

Good words to remember when you help someone. "Put your hand on my shoulder and just guide me, please…"

~By William L. Stidger~