‘I could help you’ he says, feeling obligated about the shopping and the driving, ‘do you look after the car yourself?’ I admit that my car maintenance is sketchy.‘The oil is important’ he says,’ or the engine will burn up’. It is an area in which he still feels competent. The less familiar world of shopping and housekeeping has now become a challenge for him; and cat-care has almost become a burden.

However, the unique person that he is, still beams from his eyes and his small, old-fashioned courtesies continue. Although he is so big, his innate politeness keeps him standing back from the crush of shoppers at the meat counter. And all the time the agony of choices and decisions grows. But still his gracious greetings and handshakes are unchanged, even with those who are becoming strangers.

He is teaching us the incredible lesson about the preciousness of each one of us in God’s eyes. No matter what our limitations, past, present or future, this unconditional love does not change. Dependency has this gift to offer to the rest of us, who think we are independent. Our challenge is to perceive and embrace the gift.