Props

Today was a good morning in that I was able to get plenty of sleep, the pillow between my knees didn't vanish in the night and I woke up feeling pretty good overall five minutes before my alarm went off. 

To recap: good sleep, low pain, not startled awake.

So I tempt fate, take my physical therapists advice, and left my cane in the car today. The leg is still sore, but I am not reliant on it today, and am walking upright instead of bent in half.

I still want a seat on the train to rest it, but apparently without my cane, this barrel-chested youthful stud of a man isn't disabled enough for a little girl to move out of the disability seat. Maybe my limp wasn't convincing enough.

I sighed to myself and grabbed a pole, and then the most amazing thing happened: an older lady, with whom I had shared my story, remembered me. She noticed me wincing slightly (remember less pain isn't zero pain) and turned to the girl and said, "would you be a hero today and let my friend sit. He is in quite a bit of pain but is too proud to ask you."

To her credit, the girl moved quickly and let me sit. And today I learned why we as a society need to talk to one another. This total stranger remembered me, my condition, and cared enough to stand up for me. Faith in humanity restored a bit.

Thanks to Lena.