LOVE

The story saying the passengers watched sympathetically as the young woman with the white stick made her way carefully up the steps of the bus. She paid the driver and used her hands to feel for a seat. Then, she sat down with the stick resting against her leg.
It had been a year since Michelle, twenty-seven, became blind. Because of a medical problem, she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness. Michelle, who was once an independent woman, felt condemned to be a burden on everyone around her. All she has to cling to was her husband, Gordan, an army officer who loved her dearly.
When Michelle first lost her sight, she sank into despair, but Gordan was determined to help her become independent again. After a few months, she was finally ready to return to her job. She used to take the bus. But was now too frightened to get around the city.
At first, this comforted Michelle and fulfilled Gordan need to protect his wife, who had lost confidence in doing even the simplest task. Soon, however, this transport arrangement was becoming too tiring for him. He realised that she would have to start taking the bus again, but just the thought of mentioning this to her upset him. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Gordan had expected, Michelle was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. Her heart was full of anger. "How can you do this to m? I am blind!" she responded bitterly."How am i supposed to know where i am going? I feel as if you are abandoning me. Don't you love anymore?"
Gordan's heart broke when he heard those words, but he knew what he had to do. He promised her that, each morning and evening, he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took for her to get used to it. And that was exactly what happened. For two whole weeks, Gordan, in full military uniform, accompanied Michelle to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, especially her hearing, and how to adapt to her new situation.
Gordan helped her make friends with the bus drivers, who would watch out for her. They even saved her a seat. Gordan made her laugh, even on those bad days when she tripped as she left the bus or dropped her briefcase. Each morning, they made the journey together and Gordan would take a taxi back to his office. Although this routine was even more expensive and more tiring than the previous one, he knew it was just a matter of time before she would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Michelle he used to know, who was not afraid of any challenges and who would never, ever quit.
Indeed, she soon became confident enough to start travelling on her own. One day, as she was about to get off the bus, the driver said, " Madam, I really envy you. It must feel so good to taken care of and protected like you are"
Michelle had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked. "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "you know, every morning, a gentlemen in a military uniform stands on the side of the road watching you as you leave the bus. He makes sure you cross the road safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss and walks away. You are a fortunate woman."
Tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. Although she could not see her husband, she had always felt his presence. Michelle lucky, so lucky, for he had given her gift more powerful than sight, a gift she did not need to see to believe - a gift of love that can bring light where there has been darkness.