The owner of the art gallery stared in amazement as the blind man with white cane in hand tapped his way cautiously through the elegant main entrance. Cautiously and carefully the blind man moved among the expensive sculptures and easels holding beautiful masterpieces with bright vivid colors. Exquisite sculptures, some capturing every detail of the fullness of the lips and the curve of a woman's neck.

"May I HELP you?" The owner asked cautiously, thinking he would have to explain that THIS was an expensive art gallery, and what benefit could a blind man POSSIBLY receive from him.

"Thank you sir" came the blind man's reply "I am looking for a beautiful painting that speaks to my heart."

He steadily held his cane in front of him and rested both hands on top as he waited for the flustered gallery owners answer, advice and direction.

"Well" the owner stammered. "We are displaying the beautiful impressionist pieces down the left hallway, would you like for me to take you there?"

"No thank you" the blind man replied, "I can find my way." Silently he tapped his way through the gallery to the grand, high ceiling well lit "Impressionist" hallway.

Vibrant colors red, green, blue and pink reflected from his dark glasses as he passed by one work of art after another. Watching from a safe distance behind him, the gallery owner noticed the man's method of "viewing" the works. He stood before them, took a deep breath and lightly touched the canvas with his fingertips. He didn't gauge the size of the work. He couldn't possibly see the patterns or the brilliant use of colors, but after only a touch he moved on. He made his way from the trendy impressionist gallery to the realist section. Once again he repeated the process as before. Stopping, lightly touching and then moving on.

Finally as the gallery owner watched, the man wept as his fingers traced lightly over a beautiful framed painting that to even be called a masterpiece was a disappointment. His fingers seemed instinctively to flow over the invisible brush strokes, he seemed to know the painting by heart, even though he couldn't see it.

"I know you are there sir" the blind man whispered to the gallery owner, "how much for this painting?" he asked.

"Well, it's exquisite, it's wonderful and VERY expensive" the owner replied noticing again the man's dress and obviously thinking he couldn't afford it or wouldn't dare pay the asking price.

"How much sir?" came the stern reply from the blind man and the gallery owner announced a price that if paid would take every cent that the blind man had to his name. "Sold." His words were resolute and sincere as the blind man began producing a lifetime of saved currency in order to pay the gallery owner.

"But sir" the owner protested, "what, err how could YOU possibly appreciate such a work of art as this?" he asked.

"It's quite simple" the blind man replied as he again wept as he FELT the painting before him. His fingers traced over a brilliant autumn sky that was even bluer than a robin's egg. Trees aflame with the splendid leaves of fall, so vivid that one only had to look at them to practically hear them crunch underfoot as lovers walked hand in hand beneath them. He traced over the children playing and laughing on what would be one of the last days of fun outdoors before winter came on with it's bitter cold. The blind man turned back to the gallery owner and through tears replied "God above has allowed me to FEEL with my heart what others can only see". "I feel the brush strokes and the build up of paint here and the gentle smudging of a dash of paint there." he skillfully and lightly traced his entire hand over the painting once more and felt the lovers arm in arm, he could hear the children playing and the warmth of the autumn sun as it streaked through the colorful leaves. The gallery owner was shocked, he wept at the man's appreciation.

"What of the other paintings I have, they wouldn't cost as much, surely THEY would suit you instead of this one."

"No sir" came the blind mans reply as he smiled and tears ran down his cheek, "this one is ALL that I could ever ask for." " I agree that there are other beautiful paintings here in your gallery, but none other has ever spoken to my heart in such a way."

*** Copyright 02/2002 Tim R. Rouse ***
I believe love is NOT in what you see but rather in what you feel. We may seem out of place in love sometimes, but remember that love makes us more than what we could ever be on our own.