Meaningless Words

The Insignificance of Words A man walks down a dimly lit street; the bright red lights above the hospital’s exit are now just a faint glow behind him. As he staggers along the city blocks back to his quiet row home, he ponders the tragic news he has just received regarding his mother’s failing health. A couple blocks from the refuge of his home, he runs into some of the neighborhood locals. Some …

…With a new outlook on the day and the hopes for a better tomorrow, the man hits the sidewalk and heads north. A couple houses down, a woman emerges from her door to retrieve the morning paper. The woman looks towards the man and in a polite, quiet voice says, “How are you doing?” The man responds “Hello” and continues on his course, steadily walking towards the hospital’s entrance just barely coming into view.