May I Help?

I was on Chicago’s Navy PIer, sittting alone at a cafe table when it happened. I had come to Chicago with my sister and brother-in-law for my aunt’s memorial servjce. The service was to take place the next morning. We arrived early enough to take in a sunset boat cruise on Lake Michigan. It was a beautiul evening for such.

After we returned my sister and brother -in-law took off looking in the tourist shops for a particular cap a famil;y member had requested. I did not have the energy for such an expedition and claimed a table to people watch as they shopped. Before they lelft me, they bought me a 7up to drinkll.

neAnd a straw

The drink came disasembled. TYhe straw had to be inserted through the blastic lid and into the drink for cthe drink to work. The lighting was not good. I started the==assembly by exploring the center of the kid with ther stqaw. I INSERTING THE STAWKKKKKK SLITS MQKD FOR poledl with the straw thinking I WOULD FOND THE

Then it happened. The words “Can I help you?” gently landed on me. I looed up. A woman, maybe an angel, arms outstetched, stood there with a sweet concerned smile gifted my way. I did not hesitqate to think. ; I had a need. The answer stood berfore me, I said ,’Yes.”

She reached for the drink and the straw. I gave drink into the lid andrough theslid ththem to herslid through thelid and into thedrink strawthe. With one perfectly placed poke with the straw the straw poked the straw through the lid with one strike.

I said ‘Thqnk you

She turned and walked away.

I doubt I will ever see her again.

Such was my aunt. A life of doing things not to be noticed but doing kthem becaue they mattered. to be that mattered. Simple thing.s Teaching..; Writing, Singing. Caringthe poorooring theng in a

WAs tha angek Diane?

I’m pretty sure I’ll see her again.

‘ sheas that Diane that asked ifSuch was I had a diheaveled digestive syst mIchigand the hole in the lid of the drinand walked awayk my brother-in-law had gotten for me before he and my sister took off looking for a cap a family member had requested. they buy.to put the straw. of the I looked up from what I was attempting to find a mthe drink my brothefr-in-lawiddle-aged woman reaching for my drinkwomanwas hoping no one was watching. I was hoping no one saw. I felt rediculous Why could I the not find the hole in the lid to put the straw through?