His spinal curvature was so bad that he was forced to look down most of
the time. Except when he made a wise crack. He always managed to steal
a glance looking up to see how you reacted to his comments. I believe
he enjoyed doing that to people.

Still kneeling by his wheel chair, I felt comfortable there.

There was an awkward silence as we both waited for the other to continue
the conversation. I waited because I wasn't sure he wanted to talk.

"Nice sneakers," he said.

"Thanks, no one ever complimented me on my sneakers before," I said.

"No one has the view of the world I do," he replied.

I laughed this time.

"So, tell me about the world as you see it," I said.

"Well, I can tell if someone is comfortable speaking with me or not.
Most people can see it in another's eyes.
I see it in their feet," he said.

"How can you tell by their feet?" I asked.

"People who are nervous keep fidgeting around, moving their feet,
wiggling their toes. If they are impatient with me I see them tapping
their foot. So I just let them go. I don't want to make people
uncomfortable," he said.

"What about me? Was I uncomfortable?" I asked.

"No. I could see your compassion in your eyes. You see, you came down
to my level. I was the one who was nervous," he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't normally have someone looking in my eyes. Even my friends stand
or sit when they speak to me," he said with a sigh.

"They have no idea what they are missing," I told him.

"This old crooked face of mine is nothing to brag about," he said.

"But that smile. That smile is so big, I can't see anything else," I told him.

"Ah yes, my smile. I painted it on there just for me. Even though most
people don't see it, it reminds me that things aren't as bad as they

seem," he said.

"That's quite an attitude, my friend," I said.

"Well, I'm your friend now am I?" he asked.

"Yes, I consider everyone a friend until they prove me otherwise. Many
have. I'd rather treat someone as a friend and keep them as one, then
to treat them as a stranger and they remain so," I told him.

He smiled.

"Well, as I always say, "Things are always looking up in my life," he
said.

There was a pause and we both started laughing.

"Hey, now I can sing that country song by Garth Brooks", I said.

He took a deep breath and asked, "Okay, I'll bite. What country song?"

I sang to him..."I've got friends in low places."

We both laughed until we had tears in our eyes. I don't know about him,
mine were because he was such a blessing to me today.

From the famous childhood nursery rhyme:
"There Was a Crooked Man"