Great essay, Steve.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 11:45
Subject: Re: sighted wife


> John's comment about his wife telling him it was over there caused me to
> revive this article written by CathyAnne Murtha.
> Steve, K8SP
>
> As my guide dog and I stood in line at the checkout of
> the River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a
> simple question.
> "Where are the napkins please?" her response was hurried, but sincere, 
> "over
> there."
>
> Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch the
> attention of a passer-by, "please sir, can you tell me where I might catch
> bus 63?"
> A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into to the
> cacophony of the early afternoon, 'you can catch it. 'Over there.'"
>
> So many things reside over there - napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens,
> clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never ending supply
> of important and indispensable items and locales all reside in this place
> which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
>
> I stand in perplexed silence after learning that
> something is over there. It is a place I have never been and have no hope 
> of
> finding on my own. My guide
> dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators, escalators,
> helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet Pepsi display at
> Food Town;
> however, when I tell her to find "over there" her little bottom hits the
> floor and a small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I. We will 
> not
> be
> going "over there" today. Over there has caused me a
> bit of vexation, a lot of confusion, and, on occasion, made my heart race.
>
> I have discovered that "over there" can be a dangerous place. One day, 
> While
> crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice shout out a warning 
> of
> a truck bearing down on me from over there. Shadow artfully dodged the
> oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety of the curb. Our hearts were
> both racing as we took a few moments to compose ourselves. Close 
> encounters
> with
> over there can be frightening experiences.
>
> Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of "over
> there," few have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration of the
> mysterious place.
>
> One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I
> asked the clerk where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her
> voice, she informed me that the aspirin was located "over there." With a
> weary sigh, I decided
> that I would take the extra step that would unravel the mystery, which had
> vexed my compatriots since the beginning of time.
>
> Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at the
> clerk, "Where," I asked, "is over there?" I imagined the girl's shocked
> expression.  I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks with her
> fellows in the store. The silence grew palpable as they mulled the
> possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land. She 
> had
> no choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over there!" I had won!
> Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless anticipation. A
> victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on the handle of
> Shadow's harness, we would soon be going
> over there! The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was
> made. "That way." She said.
>
> By: Cathy Anne Murtha
>