True heartwarming story

Short and sweet

We parked in the handicapped section at HyVee yesterday and went into the store. When we were finished shopping, we went back to the van. Maria noticed an elderly man who had just gotten out of his car and was adjusting his walker. 

Maria waved her hand enthusiastically at him, with her arm going from her waist- level to above her head. “Hi!  Hi!” She called, almost singing her greeting. The man’s whole face lit up, and he smiled a wide, toothless smile. He said nothing in return, but waved a couple of fingers in the air from side to side. 

“She’s helping me!” Maria explained. “I’m with her. I’ve got her.” 

He quickly glanced at me, and then a look of sadness and confusion fell upon his face for a moment, as if he wanted to say more but had no words. 

I told Maria to tell him goodbye, and she continued to wave and look at him with wide eyes as she said, “Bye! Bye! See you later. See you next time.”

As we pulled out of the parking space, I noticed that the man’s license plate said “Veteran” on the bottom. I was thankful that Maria had given him her precious gifts of being seen and loved.