By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Contact us for full details.
Shares
Last night I was walking back from St Kilda beach after meditating. It was cold and I was in a hurry to get into some warmth. As I passed an old lady who was walking extremely slowly, hunched over, pants falling down, she dropped her plastic bag. I bent down to pick it up for her and said "There you go". She mumbled something, I couldn't quite make out as her chin was tucked into her scarf and her head wasn't sitting up right. Judging by her body language I took it as a thank you, and couldn't help but notice her pants falling down, exposing her adult nappy. As I went to walk off, she grabbed my arm and said with force "You'll walk me across the road won't you my dear?" I didn't have a choice. This was a lady who got what she wanted, full time. My perception automatically changed from one of helplessness and being senile to woah, don't mess with this lady. We waited at the lights in silence, and then began to walk as the light clicked to green. As we began to cross the road, I noticed her footsteps were that of a mouse, and I realised then and there that my rush to get home for a Skype call was not going to happen. I surrendered to the moment. I asked the lady her name, and she grumbled "Patricia." Her chin hairs were sticking out now, so I could tell she'd made an effort to have her mouth available to talk to me. She trusted me now. About three minutes later, we finally got across the lights, and I bent down to help her pick up her pants, which had fallen. She was not embarrassed, she just told me "My good pants are in the wash." Each time she speaks I bend down to listen carefully, as her voice is mumbled. We start to walk, as she asks if I can guide her home. Her hunched back means she can't look up or straight ahead, and being night time, there was no way I could leave her alone - though I know she's tough as nails. I tell her my partner is French. She then proceeds to tell me that she used to be in the Australian Olympic Ski Team for downhill and she lived in France for many years, and then she spoke some French to me. I was blown away. If anyone took one look at her on the street she'd be cast out as the crazy lady in a nappy, pants falling down, probably homeless. I walked three hundred and fifty meters with her, over one hour and she won my heart. We never know what another human being has gone through to get to where they are at in the now, unless we take the time to listen. Patricia forced me to listen to her, and I am forever grateful. A moment.