I woke up one beautiful, extremely chilly Sabbath morning to find the sun shining brightly, the chirping of birds and a feeling of comfort.  Maybe it was that warm comforter that hugged me and begged me not to leave, which I foolishly listened to.  Maybe it was birds chirping their everyday glory songs.  Whatever it was allowed me to sink into a peaceful morning nap until the sound of my chime clock rang that alarming ‘you’re going to be late for church’ sound.  I leaped out of bed and performed the morning ritual getting ready and dressing. 

For some reason it took longer than expected.  It took so long that it was now nearing time for divine worship.  Sabbath School was shot.  I called for a cab and was told it would be there in five minutes.  I took an extra minute because sometimes they exaggerate their arrival time.  As I headed to the front door of my building, I saw a woman peering out the front door into the street.  I groaned because she was ahead of me and I got the feeling that she was waiting for a cab and would probably take mine.  She headed out and peered up and down the street and then got into a van.  Of course I was relieved because if my cab came on time I could make it to church relatively in record time.  Well, after another five minutes the cab didn’t arrive and I was a bit annoyed. Five more minutes elapsed and nothing. 

The woman got out of the van, looked at me and said, “Do you speak French or Patois”.  I was stunned.  Of all things this was the last thing I would have thought she would ask.  I said cautiously yes and asked her why she was asking.  She told me earlier an old woman came up to her and needed help but the woman only spoke French or Patois and she could not understand her.  She also said that the old woman had been out in the cold for a while and she was very concerned about her wellbeing.  I asked her where the old woman was and she told me she didn’t know.  Well you know I was thinking why am I privy to this conversation, when she interrupted my thoughts and said, “there she is” pointing to a frail old lady, dressed in black from head to toe, making her way across this icy driveway up the block.  I quickly ran over to her because I didn’t want her falling. It would prolong my church travel and heavens forbid we couldn’t have that.
When I got to her I asked her in Patois, What is the matter? Where is she going? And can I be of any assistant?  She looked at me very intently and then spoke.  At first I didn’t understand her because she spoke an older generation Patois.  I had to listen closely.  She explained that she came from the funeral home across the street attending a funeral service.  Someone was supposed to pick her up hours ago but did not.  She had been waiting outside so she wouldn’t miss them.  She wanted to get to her next destination but needed help getting there.  I asked her where she was going and she told me it was about six blocks away.  Six long blocks. 

Though the sun was shining, it was bitter cold.  I was dressed with hat, scarf, gloves and a goose down coat but I could still feel old man winter ripping around trying to get in.  The old lady was dressed in a black straw hat with a bow (you know the kind all old ladies wear to funerals), a black Melton coat and no gloves.  I knew she was cold.  I took a deep breath and told her I would take her to her destination.  There goes any chance of finding a seat in the main sanctuary.  I would have to watch the service on the projection screen down in the lower auditorium.  I hate watching the service on the big screen.  Well, she thanked me and put her arm in mine.  I could feel how frail she was.  We took a few steps and I realized that if we did not take a cab I would miss the service entirely.  I said to her “We are taking a cab.”  She protested and said she could walk as long as I accompanied her, but I was not to be deterred.  I looked to my left and there was a cab.  It was not the same company I had called before, but I walked over open the door and put her in, and proceeded to the other side and got in.  I asked her for the address and she told me and I conveyed that to the driver.  This cab had pulled over in a driveway and had not another customer waiting. 
As we neared her destination she got happy and excited.  When we arrived at a brownstone building I could see the steps covered with ice.  I informed the driver that I had to walk her up the stairs and would come back to finish my trip.  He informed me that I would have to pay for both stops in advance and it would be $20.00.  Being a native New Yorker I know how much a cab ride should be.  We had come a very short distance and the distance to Kingsboro Temple could not exceed $10.00.  Of course we haggled.  Finally, exasperated I paid him for the trip to the brownstone and told him I would hail another cab.  I was livid because now I was going to have a harder time finding another cab.  I had no cell phone on me and would have to find a public phone.  To make matters worse, I did not have any change. 
As I got out of the cab, the cab driver then conceded and said he would charge me $14.00 if I was interested.  Well of course I was (Thank you God) because finding another cab would be quite painful.  I paid him in advance and proceeded to climb the stairs with the frail old lady.  In the back of my mind I expected to hear the cab screeching away.  But that did not happen.  When we arrived at the top of the stairs she tried putting the keys in the door but her hands was too cold.  I took the keys from her and opened the door.  I could hear the radiator steaming and was comforted that she would now be warm.  She hugged me and thanked me that God sent me to save her.  She kissed me on the cheek and then entered the building.  I was relieved that episode came to an end.  As I descended the stairs I looked at the cab driver in disgust.  I was very angry that he tried to take advantage of me.  Did he think I just got off the boat or what?  As we drove off I told him that I did not know the old lady.  I did not even know her name.  I just wanted to help her because she was in need.  I ranted on and on and he was silent.  We stopped at a light and after a moment of silence he said “thank you.”  I was livid. “I didn’t do it for you I did it for her” I said.  Then I decided to just shut up.  What’s the use?  I was angry he tried to rip me off, I was angry that he didn’t trust me and I was forced to pay in advance.  What did he think?  That the frail old lady and I would stiff him for $5.00?  When we arrived I got out and did not say a word.  Not have a blessed day, happy Sabbath or have a safe day, nothing.  I was still ticked off because I probably would not get a seat in the sanctuary, got a detour by an old frail lady and swindled by a cab driver, yeah, Happy Sabbath.  Well, I came in and hung up my coat.  The church was packed as usual.  I went up into the sanctuary, (because you never know) and an usher ask me if I needed a seat. Does baked bread need butter?  I said yes and behold there was that coveted prize.  As I sat down thawing out, my mind did also.  I began to think about the events of the morning.
I prayed to God that whoever was to pick up the frail old lady was o.k. and not in any accident.  I prayed that God would forgive my infantile tirade with the cab driver.  I was angry that he didn’t trust me, but my thoughts of him pulling away after paying in advance was not any better.  Maybe he needed to know that the meaning of life is caring about one another and sometimes it doesn’t come with monetary gain or “getting another star on your crown.”  We can’t buy our way into heaven.  The goodness we show one another really helps us, not the ones we are helping.  "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength'." This is the 'first commandment' according to Jesus.  "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'." (Mark 12:28-31). Someday if God allows, I’ll be a little old man.  It would be nice if someone came along to make my day just a little easier.