Saturday, I slipped on my way to the bus. The bus driver got out and helped me stand. It wasn't a serious fall; I used my cane to slow my descent. OTOH, ever since my first hip replacement, it has been extremely difficult for me to get up from the ground (or floor) even when the footing is reliable. The driver saved me from crawling for feet through slush to a solid object which I could use for support.
Then, when I got to the library, I searched for the flash drive I'd left there the previous day. I asked a guy on the computer which I had used Friday, but it wasn't in the slot. The guy found it later on the surface. He got up from the computer -- where he had limited time -- and carried it to me where I was talking to the woman on the computer-help desk.
We, of course, depend on officially-provided things an services. The library I mentioned is one of them. We also depend on the good services of anonymous strangers.
Earlier this year, I was carrying a book home from the library in a plastic bag attached to my belt. (I hadn't brought my backpack, and I needed 2 hands for other things.) The bag came loose, and I lost it and the book. Somebody else found it. I know this because they returned the book to the library.
Much more important for me, back in 2008 when I fell and broke my hip, a driver stopped, helped me up and to a pole. I assured him I didn't need more help. He came back around, though, and found me still standing there. He asked if I wanted him to call 911. By then, I had learned that I wasn't walking anywhere, and I asked him to call. Without him, I don't know what I would have done.
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