As I sipped my coffee and absentmindedly flipped through a parenting magazine, I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Grey hair, face deeply lined, back slightly bent, the tap of his cane as he came closer. He paused in front of the stroller, ruffled Sophie's hair and returned her smile. He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.
I was invisible, watching a movie, a story unfold before my eyes. He sang to her, played peek-a-boo and when his laughter got caught in his throat, he turned away and coughed into a handkerchief. I wanted to say something, to help but something held me back. This was a moment between the young and old. A moment between innocence and experience. A moment that didn't include me.
A few minutes passed and I heard his chair scrap against the floor and a low moan escape his lips as he straightened himself to stand. It was only then that he spoke.
"Children keep you young. That little girl just added another year to this old life."
Today is Respect For The Aged Day here in Japan. Although this happened when Sophie was about five months old, I thought today was a good day to share it.
9 comments:
What a beautiful story! Awesome time to share it!
Love it! And what a great thing, to celebrate the aged. I think remembering the wisdom our elderly citizens bring our country has been forgotten in the US. A day to mark their lives and contributions is a great idea.
Trisha, that is so touching, and so thoughtfully well written. Kind of makes me think how life is indeed a circle, isn't it. :)
Its a wonderful thing to celebrate the elderly...they have taught the younger generation and probably mostly those all around them so many things.
Trisha,
This was touchingly written. My husband and I so enjoy interacting with young children (not just our grandchildren)
Nothing brightens the day of my own grandpa (who is 98) more than taking one of the young children to visit him...
I love that this day is celebrated in Japan...
You have such a way with words and the sensitivity to pick something like that up...what a blessing you are!!
(((hugs)))
i loved the story. thanks for sharing this.
What an absolutely beautiful post. I love it! I've always had a soft spot in my heart for "the aged" and I love watching them interact with little ones. We take Snuggle Bug to outdoor pops concerts at a park and all the grandparents that are there get the biggest kick out of watching him play!
You know, I like your viewpoint on my Mexican vacation post about why fair skinned models are used. You're right, those ads DID stand out. Good thinking!
Just noticed the title...
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