OOopps!

I'd taken a bus trip to meet a friend across from the Downtown Minneapolis Library. A hot day for sure. I'd struck up a conversation with a man a bit older than myself.
We sat and swapped fishing stories for about forty minutes when he made a move to get up and out of the sun. He was stiff as he arose walking with a cane - took a step and tripped on the concrete seam of the sidewalk. Down he went hard. I threw my pack down and attempted to get him up. This guy was heavy, it took two attempts to right him and thanking me he slowly sauntered off.
Five minutes later a woman approached me to say "Thank You for helping that man.." I was stunned. "it's what you do.." I replied. Granted, there were a number of people  who might have helped - but this was my new fishing buddy! I explained to her that in my day, say forty years or so ago I routinely found myself along with my good friend Tom in situations where people needed immediate help - we just went about it without thinking.

What's changed?
People, that's what. Others are glad enough to watch as if they're watching some reality show on TV.
I had a problem A couple of winters ago when a walk to Wallgreens a block and a half took half an hour. It turned out after a day and a halk in the hospital
found my hemoglobin was low and I was trying to walk with a 67% oxygen potential. Bent over at the waste battling for air I watched car after car pass me and no one had the courtesy of asking if I was alright!

I just was bowled over at the indifference of those passing me by - and told the ambulance crew just that.

Do what you can for your fellow man people. It doesn't cost anything and who knows - you may make a friend.
If I see my fishing buddy again, we'll have more to talk about.
Let's just hope it's during the fall when we are a bit more comfortable!