JOHN (Stop the traffic)

Val and I were beginning a drive to Auckland. I noticed an elderly man waiting on the side of a road in Hamilton East. Perhaps nothing out of the ordinary. Val noticed him too. “There’s something about that man that doesn’t seem right. Let’s go back and see if he’s ok.” Val smiled.

We turned around and parked a few metres away from him. He hadn’t moved at all and was unsteady on his feet. I cautiously approached him and introduced myself. “Hi I’m Steve. What’s your name?” In a quiet voice he replied, “John.” We chatted for a minute or so. “You look like you want to go somewhere.” John nodded. I noticed a sign behind him that said ******** Rest Home “You want to escape, don’t you John.” He nodded again. “Do you want to go over the road to the dairy?” A thumbs up sign from John confirmed that indeed he did. 

I took him gently by the arm and we very slowly inched towards the curb till we were on the edge of the road. Val was watching intently and asked me, “Do you want me to stop the traffic?” My turn to nod so Val walked to the centre of the road and put her hand up and the cars slowed and stopped. John and I were now nearing the centre of the road and a long line of cars had now formed. Not one driver was impatient and John and I finally made it to safety on the other side of the road. Val waved at the cars to show our appreciation and friendly waves were returned. 

We entered the dairy and went up to the counter where John was greeted by the friendly shop assistant who spoke to him by name. “What would you like today John?” “Bloody decent coffee!” was his reply and I couldn’t help but laugh. Coffee purchased and turning to face the entrance, two Rest Home staff walked towards us. Speaking in a kind tone, one of them said, “Hello John. We’ve been looking for you.” The staff had found their man and they had a wheelchair with them. Perhaps he had tried to escape before… Before he sat in it, John turned to me and firmly shook my hand. Off they went with a wave. His moment of freedom was over. Everyone was happy. No harm done.

POINTS to PONDER

Listen to that quiet ‘voice’ that says, do something to help. Now. The moment may never come again.

Be willing to take appropriate action. Take a managed risk.  Ask questions that get to ‘the heart of the matter’.

If necessary get others to help you as ‘we’re in this together’ to respond to people’s needs.

If someone you know has got overwhelmed by circumstances, ‘stop the traffic’ for them ie give them a break, take some work from them, be a good listener, maybe give them a hug.