Age is just a word

The old man, (eighty seven I had been
told by the vicar,) looked to be asleep,
memories of past glories no doubt crowding
his dreams. I smiled, then settled next to
him and reached out a hand, a gentle touch.
"Heard you knocking love," he chuckled,
surprising me, "thought I'd let you make
your own way in," eyes still as bright as sunrise,
"nice to see a youngster for a change."

"You should keep your door locked," I said.
Tea?"

"Rather have a cold beer,"
came the reply.

"That's what the vicar told me you would say,"
I said, thinking that bone and brain clearly
don't age at the same rate, "do you take sugar?"

"Two, and swirl the teabag for a good half minute or
so please M'dear. Biscuits are in the top left
cupboard over the kettle."

We talked for a time then. He told me about Hilary
his wife. She'd been a keen gardener,
keener church goer, much more than he ever was.
"But it's nice the church remembers.
Nice they send someone along for a chat,
especially a youngster. That other one
spent most of her time tidying and
lecturing me about not giving up. You
going to come and see me again then?

I smiled and nodded in the affirmative,
strangely captivated.

"Good," he said, "I like your smile love,
can't stand sympathy smiles.
Gets right on my nerves that does."

I smiled again, trusting it was empathy
not sympathy that traversed the short
distance between us. "See you next week then,"
I said, secretly pleased at forty three, going
on forty four, to be called a youngster.
"And make sure you lock your door tonight."

Reviews

[Beccy]

He's a lovely man, astute and not in the least 'old' in either spirit or mind. As part of our church outreach group I visit several of our older village residents every month and stay for a chat and a cup of tea. I very much enjoy the visits and have to admit that I often find the older generation's take on modern life to be quite fascinating.

Beccy

[Chris Shaw]

Really nice interaction here Beccy. It reminds me that I have come across younger people who are old for their years and older people who are young for theirs. I like to think that age is a state of mind. Visits like these can make a day much brighter for all involved. Good to read you.

Chris

[Bryan Sefton]

I could see the room and taste the tea. This poem was as warm and comfortable as your visit. A pity he couldn't see the rest of us looking over your shoulder.

[Jibey]

A charming moment of warm connection... A reminder that touch can give meaning to our lives.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I absolutely love this story. It is simple straight forward and heartfelt.
PS forty is the new thirty. Life is just now getting interesting.

[Einstein Noodle]

nicely done says i .. i totally immersed in the setting scene and characters .. love them both .. such a gentle honest exchange .. i am happy for both having found a bright spot in visiting one another... i think this is charity in action and exemplifies the spirit of giving that Christmas celebration should embrace .. reading left me feeling at peace .. and with comfort .. i hope when i hit 87 i still want a cold beer and have a visit or two from your heroine! ;)
E.

[John the Baptist]

As a blossoming geezer myself, I appreciated this intergenerational offering. You really can't judge a person by preconceived notions. Empathy can indeed give us the truth more accurately.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

This is such a heartwarming piece. It reflects human empathy one of our greater virtues. This is a loving gift needed in these dark times. A reminder that love in any amount is the most precious of gifts.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I wish I could still be called a youngster...well at heart and in my mind.
And I do keep my door locked, but where I live it probably is not necessary.

And I agree with the old guy, I would never want a sympathy smile...empathy is so much different and embraced by those who too often get the other.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

you are a youngster jacob! didn't you read the title? :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
E.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love this write. Yes, the thirty somethings with college degrees tend to get a bit uppity with the gray headed; especially those that work in a professional setting. I've met a few of those. But, in contrast, I've met some very helpful, nice and respectful people as well. My doctor is in his thirties but a nicer man or more professional I couldn't ask for in a physician. I had a friend in his late nineties I went to visit one day and found him napping. He apologized and said he must've dozed off. I told him he was entitled to rest at his age now and then. Sadly he passed away just a few years ago. But he chopped wood and plowed his farm on his tractor well into his 9th decade. It's amazing the lifeforce some folks have. Very much enjoyed the read.