Falling Down in NYC & Getting UP

Well, after almost 40 years of commuting to work in the City, yesterday I fell completely down. I have watched folks fall on the streets and sidewalks and on the stairs to or from GCT and helped my share collect themselves and their things, get up and go on. My fall was rather spectacular. Full flat eagle with briefcase and Scottish Rite Bag with documents going all over Madison Avenue at 49th St. When I got over the daze I saw 5 hands reaching down for me to accept. They all wanted to help me up, make me sit down and rest and stay with me till they were certain I had recovered. The hands were all colors and belonged to a contractor, FedExp person, several young helpers of kind origin and all colors of the human spectrum. Some dozen in all. All young (20's to 30's or so) and very eager to help and concerned for this old white hair, white beard dotard of a white men in a sport jacket with formal kakkies lying on the sidewalk. It took some time of clasping hands, patting them on the back and thanking them for "being wonderful and helpful" for them to be comfortable that this old professional was truly ok and could go back to the commute. Two young men smiling amazingly had collected my papers, bags/brief case and stood ready to return them. As I walked on to GCT North, some of the young couples and helpers looked back to make certain I was actually fine and mobile. This is NYC, America and home of the many shades and cultures of the world all fighting the war on poverty and striving to achieve their goals but willing to stop and give a hand to one in need. I felt wonderful, though sore, for benefiting from the immediate and unhesitating help of those picking me up and putting me back on my feet. That is what it is supposed to be in life and it was for long moments for me. Thank you extended family. With hope and fondness as always, John