Some time ago, I was sitting in the lunchroom at work having lunch with a male co-worker. There was nothing particularly special about that or that day. We take lunch about the same time every day, so we eat lunch together almost daily. But for some reason, today I noticed how easy it was to talk to this gentleman. How he had a quiet, easy way about him. And how, quite frankly, I enjoyed talking to him. I noticed that he had a sweet spirit and a caring heart. I went even further and noticed how he had smooth, dark skin, was well groomed and quite handsome. I thought, “Wow! This guy would be a great catch!” [I’m letting my singleness show here…] And then I thought in the same breath, “…But women probably just pass him by like he’s invisible.” And why? Because he’s blind (or visually impaired for political correctness).
Some of life’s greatest treasures come in unseemly packages. Take diamonds, for instance. Who would have ever thought taking a quick glance at that lump of coal that a brilliant, shining gemstone was at its heart? Or how about the funny-shaped, rough outer shell of the oyster? Who would have ever thought that the beautiful, smooth pearl lay trapped inside? Not too long ago, another brother rolled into my thoughts. Again, I was at work—minding my business, when this beautiful brown-skinned brother rolled into the office. He was so fine, I was almost speechless [Just the way I like them]. I found myself staring at him. And I don’t know if I was staring at him because he was so fine or because he was so fine and in a wheelchair—as if you couldn’t be both! Well, I found out that day and that instant that you could be both. And he definitely was.
Just by rolling into the office that day, he opened up a door that led to an unexplored new world. I had never dated anyone with a physical disability before, and honestly, I had never even considered it, but I was now ready to go where I had never gone before. Nothing became of me and that young man as he was already spoken for, but this fine stranger did do something for me. He helped me to see that he was a man. Not a man in a wheelchair. A man. Just like my visually impaired co-worker, who is just a wonderful guy. And you know what? That’s all we really need. If you think hard enough, we are all impaired in some way. We are all disabled in some area of our lives. And for all of us single sisters and brothers, you never know where you’ll find your treasure, so just keep your eyes—and your mind open. Peace.
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