I was driving down the street yesterday, and a man was rollerblading up the sidewalk, carrying a couple bags of groceries. I watched as he began to wobble, then attempt to correct his position, then finally lose control entirely. He landed in the road--in the lane where I happened to be driving. Thankfully I'd been paying attention, so I was able to stop my car in time. He was sprawled out pretty good, but there were no observable injuries.
Someday I want a car with power windows, so I can talk to people outside without struggling to lean over and roll the passenger window down. That would have been so nice yesterday; I wanted to ask the guy if he was alright, or if he needed help, or anything. But the traffic was starting to come up behind me, so all I could do was smile and wave as I at least stayed put for long enough to make sure he could move safely out of the way.
He lifted his head, looked up at me . . . and smiled and waved back. It was the type of good-natured smile that said, "Well, that was interesting! Let's try this again." He picked himself up, gathered his groceries.
And skated on.
Skate on, my friends.
