Hand in hand

Walking along the beach is a wonderful activity to share with somene you love. Whether is it morning, afternoon or watching the sunset. People start from far away places and walk until they think it is time to turn around. Parents with small children end up carrying them if the walk is too long. Adults may talk the time away and walk farther than intended. Young people are walking to gaze at the hot potentials their age. My father in law cannot walk to the beach anymore. He has been diagnosed with MS, multiple sclerosis. I remember one of the last times he went with me. He was setting up his chair to lie on and his leg gave away underneath him and he fell down. It was embarrassing for him and he is a man of great pride. He now uses a walker and is able with great difficulty to make it to the pool by our condo. There isn't a view of the ocean and the breeze is limited. Few people come to this pool for these reasons. The trip to the beach requires steps and a walk that would not work for my father in law. I think about the man in the Bible who laid by the water for days wanting to be healed from his inability to walk. Each time the people with different afflictions would run over him to reach the water and he once again would be left a cripple. No one would stop to help him get to the water they were too concerned with getting themselves there first. There isn't a ramp to allow disabled people a trip to the beach. The high steps create a barrier for the ones who can't walk. I often wonder if my father in law would like to come to the beach again. Would it be too hard for him? Would he feel too embarrassed? Would it remind him of the time when he could still walk on the shore? Could he enjoy the view or would it be too much to realize what he had lost? I need to make sure that I am enjoying my view. I need to soak in everyday as a treasure to be shared with others. I need to walk hand in hand on the sand with someone I love and remember.