I was in Five Points today to have lunch with a friend.  After lunch we were standing on the sidewalk talking and enjoying the beautiful weather.  As usual the streets were busy with shoppers and students. As we were talking and complaining about our jobs I heard a tapping sound coming  from behind me.  When I turned to look, I saw a young lady walking toward us.  The tapping sound was her white cane hitting the sidewalk as she moved it from side to side.
   As she approached us I found that we became silent and stopped our conversation.  Maybe I thought that our conversation might distract her.  Other than that, I'm not sure why I was silent.  There did appear to be a blank look on her face.  I guess her task required great concentration.  As she approached I broke my silence and said " Hello."  Her face lit up as she said " Hello" back to me.  I was glad that I had spoken.
   As she walked on her way  my friend and I continued our conversation but without the complaining as we were before.  I quess we both realized that we really had nothing to complain about anyway.  Our life was really easy.
   As I was leaving Five Points I saw the young lady again.  Now she was with a young man.  He had a Seeing Eye Dog.  She was not using the cane now.  She was holding to the arm of her friend as they crossed the street. This was truly the blind leading the blind.
   I had just spoken with another friend earlier about the people who train Seeing Eye Dogs and those who volunteer to raise these special animals from when they are puppies untill they are ready to start their training.   It must be so difficult to give these dogs up after a year but if they could see what I saw today they would know that it was all worth it.  Thank you to all those who do so much.
                                                                                                      Carl