Step by step

It occurs to me in passing that I no longer walk normally down steps. Its a thought that comes to me as I see a young woman pick her way downstairs.

On its heels, the memory that Burt would warn me to hold the railing. Don’t be a štarker, he’d said.

I guess that translates best as Don’t show off, or don’t be a wiseguy. For many years, he had always held on.

Now, I also always hold on tight.