It wasnt long ago that I was having lunch at a fast food restaurant, and I couldnt help but notice a little elderly lady staring at me. As I got up to leave and throw my trash away, I placed my cane over my left arm so I could carry my tray to the trash can. You see, I need a cane to walk with because of my balance and the nerve damage in my legs. I can walk about 20 yards without the aid of a cane, and then I have to rest.
Well, I walked to the trash can and deposited my trash. It was then I saw this little elderly lady holding the door for me. As I thanked her graciously, she wanted to know if she could ask me a question, and I told her by all means you can. She just looked at me and said, " Well young man, ( I liked her already ) do you really need your cane? " I replied to her question by telling her that I do use it most of the time. I then asked her why she was asking this question, in which she replied, " Well, if you really didnt need the cane, I think you should carry it with you anyway because it makes you look very STATELY."
With that said we walked out the door togeather, and I said to her in parting. " Stately is derived from the Europeon states used to describe royality and class, so if I look stately its not because Im walking with a cane, its because Im in the company of a QUEEN. With blushing cheeks she aked me if she could hug me. Aw gee whiz, I love hugs!

Reaching For Joy
Ken