Walking off a recent flight into Memphis, I noticed a dozen wheel chairs lined up along the left wall of the jet bridge.

A dozen.

That meant there were at least a dozen people on the plane who would need assistance just to get from the aircraft to baggage claim, or beyond.

Two thoughts came immediately to mind.

First, a quiet but unmistakable sense of gratitude. Carol and I were walking off the plane under our own power. No assistance. No hesitation. Just walking.

It’s easy to take something as simple as walking for granted. Most of us do, most of the time. But moments like that interrupt the routine. They remind us that what feels ordinary is, in fact, a gift.

Second, a brief prayer—for those passengers. That they would travel safely. That the process would be smooth. That they would arrive at their destinations with as little difficulty as possible.

It wasn’t a long moment. The line kept moving. Life resumed.  But it stayed with me.

Because this is what seeing looks like.

Noticing what’s right in front of us. Recognizing what it means. Letting it register before moving on.

As we age, it’s easy to drift in the other direction—to stop noticing, to move on autopilot, to assume tomorrow will look like today. But situational awareness isn’t just about avoiding risk.

It’s about recognizing reality as it is, both the challenges others face and the blessings we still hold.

That short walk down a jet bridge was a reminder: paying attention sharpens gratitude.

And gratitude, practiced consistently, is one way we age a little more gratefully.

As always, be well, and age gratefully,

Chris