In recent years, I have become aware that, instead of the stately mein and pensive countenance that I thought I wore, I project an air of bewilderment, an expression of complete befuddlement and a sense of helplessness.

I first became aware of this change in my bearing when I got a job working as a floor supervisor for a large retail store.  I would be standing at the ready, my legs coiled springs – able to leap to assist any who needed my service.

Instead, the most frequent question I got from customers was, with a concerned look on their faces, “Can I help you somehow, sir?”

“I work here.” Was my defensive reply.

Ok, so I don’t emit showers of confidence anymore. I get that. I think the Amish got it right. Maybe they should be my new role models.

About the time Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation,  thus ending slavery in America, the Amish held up both hands at chest level, pumped them three times and said, “Whoa, whoa, whoa…things are starting to move too fast. We declare the end of advancement. If it ain’t been invented by now, we don’t recognize it.

That system would work out pretty good for me, I think.

There was a time, when I was a knucklehead kid, that I knew the address, phone number, vehicle make, model, color & tag number of everyone on the block whether I ever had contact with them or not.

Now, when I exit a mall, I have to concentrate to remember if I drove or rode the bus.

When I was a kid I felt caged by the lack of choice of television programming. Three lousy networks.

Now, I have 500 channels but only watch reruns of “The Big Bang Theory” on TBS.

It takes too much effort to watch anything else.

I have forced myself to memorize one phone number – Trixie’s.  I call it from a borrowed phone to ask her to call my celly so I can find it or to get her to tell me the three-digit combination of my padlock so I can retrieve my stuff from my locker at Planet Fitness.

I suppose I should be upset about having lost a step or two, but to be honest, I enjoy the break.

There are so many good-hearted people out there who just couldn’t live with themselves if they stood idly by and watched while “that poor man” struggled with tasks ranging from something as simple as trying to get two grocery carts unstuck to something very difficult like, living in a van and driving across the country on his own.

Compassion, kindness and hospitality have so many different faces – Jo in N’awlins, The Woods in Albuquerque and now, my newest BFF Craig in Las Vegas. He and nephew Brad have welcomed me into their home while I hang tough and wait for my wife to get here and take over babysitting duties.

I’m no stranger to Vegas, of course. I have been many times. I have seen and done all the touristy stuff, namely, drinking, gambling and hookers.

But, Craig is a local. He has promised to show me all the hidden gems, like: the Atomic Energy Museum, The Spy Store…the casinos…the bars and the hookers.

Somethings transcend all layers, I guess.