Today I was on the bus on my way to a dental appointment.
I get a little anxious about dental appointments and as I was
trying to think of things to calm myself I started thinking about this
weeks prompt at In Other Words;

“Remember no one can make you feel inferior
without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
or
~~~inferior/consent~~~

While I was thinking of Eleanor Roosevelt a man got on the bus.
He was very old, very little, very frail and very shy.
He did not speak or look at anyone.  He just looked at the floor.
He had great difficulty getting on and off the bus.
He got off the bus going down the steps very slowly…and backwards.

Then while on the bus coming home a man came and sat with me.
He was kind of old, kind of big, kind of hearty and kind of outgoing.
As we rode along we talked and laughed.
I learned he likes liver and onions, prays every day, takes early morning walks,
is an amateur astronomer and is concerned about the hungry and homeless.

I wonder why one man on the bus seemed to be so frightened.
Does he feel inferior because of his physical condition?
And why is the other man so friendly?
Because he is strong and healthy?

I wanted to give both men a hug.  For different reasons.
But I gave neither one a hug.  For different reasons.

I am linking to In Other Words and Tuesday Chatter