TODAY AT WORK I.....

I can’t stop thinking about the man I encountered today, and not in the way that you would expect that I can’t stop thinking about a man.
An old man in a confused state came into the office today. I watched him proceed up the walk. He stopped half way, took his hat off and touched the top of his head in a way that seemed like he wanted to make sure it was still there. He walked very slowly in a meandering sort of way. I said “that guy looks lost”. I have to admit, I was hoping he would find his way, and that it wasn’t to the door of the office.
As he entered the building, I have to assume that he is a client of someone so I ask “How can I help you?” The first thing I notice are his eyes. A milky light blue color, no pupil, one skewed. I have scoured the internet for photos of eyes that resemble his and all I could find were ones of dogs with cataracts. He is bearded and moustached and grey. He was wearing bright blue. I don’t remember the type of garment it was whether it sweatshirt or jacket.
He spoke to me so many things incoherent as if he had his own language, like he hadn’t spoken to anyone in so long that he had forgotten how. The only thing I understood was “I need to talk to a priest”. That made a little sense because the building I work in used to be a rectory, at least 30 years ago? Must have been a long time since he has spoken with a priest. I told him kindly, “Honey, priests don’t live here anymore, this is a Real Estate office”. And directed him to the church across the way. He lingered at my desk with more offerings of jabber as I answered phone calls, not in an attempt to ignore him, but….that’s my job. Within those jabberings I comprehended “….someone to talk to”. I asked “are you okay?” and upon that, he left (very slowly), I opened the door for him. I was happy to see him go because all I could notice of our last moments together was the 3 inch drip of snot hanging from his nose, it was quite appalling.
I shouldve offered him a seat. I shouldve offered him my conversation. He was looking for someone to talk to. I shouldve offered him a tissue, or wiped his nose. What brings you to a place where you are seeking out a priest to talk to in all the wrong places? I should’ve at least walked him over to the church.
I am so ashamed of myself for treating this man with common courtesy when he clearly needed much more than that. I’m an asshole. All he needed was a conversation.
http://www.hopecenter.com/PetLibrary/Cataracts/tabid/163/Default.aspx