Todays helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Visions of Art

By Jeanne Knape

One afternoon I toured an art museum while waiting for my husband to

finish

a business meeting. I was looking forward to a quiet view of the

masterpieces.

A young couple viewing the paintings ahead of me chattered nonstop

between

themselves. I watched them a moment and decided she was doing all the

talking.

I admired his patience for putting up with her constant parade of words.

Distracted by their noise, I moved on.

I encountered them several times as I moved through the various rooms

of

art. Each time I heard her constant gush of words, I moved away quickly.

I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a purchase

when the couple approached the exit. Before they left, the man reached into

his

pocket and pulled out a white object. He extended it into a long cane and

then

tapped his way into the coatroom to get his wife's jacket.

" He's a brave man, " the clerk at the counter said. " Most of us would

give

up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a

vow

his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in whenever

there's a new art show. "

" But what does he get out of the art? " I asked. " He can't see. "

" Can't see! You're wrong. He sees a lot. More than you or I do, " the

clerk said. " His wife describes each painting so he can see it in his

head. "

I learned something about patience, courage and love that day. I saw

the

patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without sight and

the

courage of a husband who would not allow blindness to alter his life. And I

saw

the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away with their

arms

intertwined.