A man, sporting a suit and a bowler hat, rolled into an elevator as I held the door for him. He evoked an earlier era as he greeted me pleasantly and politely. The whole time he smiled so broadly that it just had to hurt his face.
"You are in a good mood," I said.
"This chair is everything! I have had it about a year now and have almost worn out the wheels already because I use it so much. It's everything!" And he leaned over to point out the tread on the small wheels. I also noticed a lot of "personalization" of his vehicle, for example, large prominently placed rear-view mirrors, an umbrella at the ready, and a blanket on the seat back with a message.
"I am so glad you like it!" I said.
"Like it? I got my life back! I can go anywhere I want to now - and by myself!"
Was it possible his smile even got larger as he said that? It appeared so.
"Fantastic! That is wonderful!"
When the door opened, he engaged the motor and exited with a flourish and with some serious speed, heading to the platform to catch the subway. He was still smiling ear to ear as he turned his head side to side, weaving in and around people to get to the front car.
It's moments like these when a life lesson is obvious.