WHEN AGE BECOMES A FACTOR....
THOUGHTS ON BEING OLDER by b. Malin
IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU....by b. Malin
"It will happen to you" she said softly looking out at the couple that stood on the beach. " I'm over sixty-five...but I'm still alive" she replied, not waiting for my answer. So once again, we sat silently staring out at the sea."To be honest with you...I'm actually EIGHTY"! "Oh my" I said looking at her for the very first time.
"That's right, I'm not a day over Eighty" she said smiling as she waited for my reply. "You look wonderful I said sighing a deep sigh. "What's your problem"? she said..."are you alone like me, no family that cares...friends dying everywhere"?
I had come to my favorite bench today to just think my thoughts...I'd left Lover Man behind to finish a chore...he was to join me later for our walk....and now I was confronted with this sad little lady who had chosen to share the bench with me.
"You look wonderful'! I replied, trying to ignore her sad question, as the ocean roared her approval.
"Bet you're really thinking...GOOD LORD SHE'S ABOUT TO DIE"! "OH NO, NO, NO, I replied back, Why on earth would I think that"?
"Because I do" she said softly looking up at the sky. I could see a tear or two forming in her eyes."But you're so ALIVE, so full of LIFE...so VIBRANT just like this day...FRESH as the ocean... The world is still yours to ENJOY"! I said trying to sound sincere.
"Oh really, you think so"? She replied cautiously looking me up and down with a deep sigh. "You're YOUNG, what do you know...But someday you'll be OLD just like ME"! She said once again looking out at the sea.
"I know," I replied softly, as I went to whisper in her ear..."I will hope that someone YOUNGER, just like me, someday, when I need it... will pick ME up when I MENTALLY FALL DOWN". I prayed silently that she understood what I was saying to her.
Suddenly a smile formed on her lips, as she reached for my hand and softly patted it. No words needed to be spoken....for she'd gotten the message. We both seemed to welcome the silence as we looked out at the vast ocean before us.
