Thepassengersonthebuswatchedsympatheticallyastheattractiveyoungwomanwiththewhitecanemadeherwaycarefullyupthesteps.Shepaidthedriverand,usingherhandstofeelthelocationoftheseats,walkeddowntheaisleandfoundtheseathe'dtoldherwasempty.Thenshesettledin,placedherbriefcaseonherlapandrestedhercaneagainstherleg.

　　IthadbeenayearsinceSusan,34,becameblind.Duetoamedicalmisdiagnosisshehadbeenrenderedsightless,andshewassuddenlythrownintoaworldofdarkness,anger,frustrationandselfpity.Andallshehadtoclingtowasherhusband,Mark.

　　MarkwasanAirForceofficerandhelovedSusanwithallhisheart.Whenshefirstlosthersight,hewatchedhersinkintodespairandwasdeterminedtohelphiswifegainthestrengthandconfidencesheneededtobecomeindependentagain.

　　Finally,Susanfeltreadytoreturntoherjob,buthowwouldshegetthere?Sheusedtotakethebus,butwasnowtoofrightenedtogetaroundthecitybyherself.Markvolunteeredtodrivehertoworkeachday,eventhoughtheyworkedatoppositeendsofthecity.

　　Atfirst,thiscomfortedSusan,andfulfilledMark'sneedtoprotecthissightlesswifewhowassoinsecureaboutperformingtheslightesttask.Soon,however,Markrealizedthearrangementwasn'tworking.Susanisgoingtohavetostarttakingthebusagain,headmittedtohimself.Butshewasstillsofragile,soangry-howwouldshereact?

　　Justashepredicted,Susanwashorrifiedattheideaoftakingthebusagain."I'mblind!",sherespondedbitterly."HowamIsupposedtoknowwhereIamgoing?Ifeellikeyou'reabandoningme."

　　Mark'sheartbroketohearthesewords,butheknewwhathadtobedone.He

　　promisedSusanthateachmorningandeveninghewouldridethebuswithher,foraslongasittook,untilshegotthehangofit.

　　Andthatisexactlywhathappened.Fortwosolidweeks,Mark,militaryuniformandall,accompaniedSusantoandfromworkeachday.Hetaughtherhowtorelyonherothersenses,specificallyherhearing,todeterminewhereshewasandhowtoadapthernewenvironment.Hehelpedherbefriendthebusdriverswhocouldwatchoutforher,andsaveheraseat.

　　Finally,Susandecidedthatshewasreadytotrythetriponherown.Mondaymorningarrived,andbeforesheleft,shethrewherarmsaroundMark,hertemporarybusridingcompanion,herhusband,andherbestfriend.Hereyesfilledwithtearsofgratitudeforhisloyalty,hispatience,andhislove.Shesaidgood-bye,andforthefirsttime,theywenttheirseparateways.

　　Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday...Eachdayonherownwentperfectly,andSusanhadneverfeltbetter.Shewasdoingit!Shewasgoingtoworkallbyherself.

　　OnFridaymorning,Susantookthebustoworkasusual.Asshewaspayingthefaretoexitthebus,thedriversaid,"Boy,Isuredoenvyyou."

　　Susanwasn'tsureifthedriverwasspeakingtoherornot.Afterall,whoonearthwouldeverenvyablindwomanwhohadstruggledjusttofindthecouragetoliveforthepastyear?Curious,sheaskedthedriver,"Whydoyousaythatyouenvyme?"

　　Thedriverresponded,"Itmustfeelgoodtobetakencareofandprotectedlikeyouare."

　　Susanhadnoideawhatthedriverwastalkingabout,andagainasked,"Whatdoyoumean?"

　　Thedriveranswered,"Youknow,everymorningforthepastweek,afinelookinggentlemaninamilitaryuniformhasbeenstandingacros