When most people look at her,
They see only her deep need.
She has no visible means of support.
She has no car.
She does have a house.
More of a shack, actually.
And, she hardly ever comes out of it.
She is deaf. She is reclusive.
Her face has settled into a perpetual frown.
A smile is a rare thing.
When she does smile, it is only lasts for an instant.
Then, an apologetic look -
(Like you just caught her at something)
And the natural frown returns.
But, not today! Today, she's smiling!
No apologies!!
Smile after smile, one after another,
Over and over!
We're in my van, driving back to her house,
After a trip to the Bookstore.
A couple of days ago, she ordered a book,
You, Too, Can Sign!
It came in, today. We just picked it up.
It's full of drawings.
She shows me a gesture from the book.
I make the sign.
She tells me what it means.
She's smiling because we're
communicating!
She's teaching me something,
And it makes her happy!
I see something new in her eyes!
For the first time, she's looking at me
As if we're two equal human beings,
On the same level,
Instead of
One whole . . . One damaged.
I think we're becoming friends!
