Joyful encounters: lessons in life from young and old

I’ve always had a soft spot for those at both ends of the life spectrum — the elderly and babies.

One with a story yet to be told and one whose story may be close to coming to a close, both so beautiful in their own way.

Yesterday, I had the joy of interacting with an elderly lady and a baby.

While waiting for hubby in the dermatologist’s waiting room, I saw a lady struggling to open the door while holding a wheelchair, so I grabbed the door for her.

As she turned the wheelchair around, the most beautifully dressed, dainty elderly lady came into view holding a most attractive handbag half the size of her!

On commenting what a lovely handbag she had, I was so amused when she replied, “I might leave it to you if you like!”

Laughing, I replied that would be lovely and was then told, “but it might be empty, you can’t have everything”!

Her daughter placed her wheelchair next to my chair and so I was able to help out when she was trying to reach a magazine behind her.

Glancing through a National Geographic, she showed me a photo of a man hanging off a rock.

“He’s mad!” she informed me.

I agreed.

I was trying to watch her without being too obvious. Every aspect of her grooming was immaculate, from her beautifully painted nails to her dainty shoes and the gorgeous matching top and trousers she was wearing.

Did she choose her clothes? Was the girl with her her daughter? Did she live in a nursing home or with family? So many questions I wanted to ask but she soon was called in for her appointment.

Leaving the rooms with hubby, we were waiting for a lift when a young couple walked up with a tiny baby who was showing the world how well his lungs worked.

His father apologised as we entered the lift.

“Don’t be silly,” I said, “It’s what babies do.”

I had to have a touch of those tiny perfect toes and ask his age.

“Six weeks,” his mother, smiled. I smiled too. What joy they have ahead of them.

Go well young man and your elderly counterpart. Thank you for the smiles you brought to my face today.

Let’s just take a minute today to pause and be a little kinder to those we come across.