THE GRACE OF AGE

I took an elderly friend downtown, for groceries. She's a sweet lady. This started me thinking of how life has a way of softening some people, while others remain, or become, mean and nasty.

Years ago, I worked at an irrigation company, as a bookkeeper. A well-to-do farmer came in, on a regular basis. I would see him, chatting with my boss, or when he was ordering parts. I had no reason, or opportunity, to talk to him.

One day, I was the only one in the office, as the rest of the crew was busy in the shop. The farmer walked up to the parts counter and stood for a minute before I went out to talk to him. He wanted to see my boss. I told him that I would get him, and could I tell my boss who wanted to see him.

The farmer's face grew red and he practically screamed at me, "I've been a customer here for YEARS. You should KNOW WHO I AM."

He then told me his name, which I never forgot. From then on I always thought, "Here comes that nasty, Mr_____!"

No, I never forgot his name!

Many years later, I was leaving a grocery store and saw a frail, bent over, gent being helped from a car. He walked carefully and shakily towards the door of the store. I recognized him as Mr.___. And I surprised myself by feeling such empathy for him.

I said, "Hello, Mr. ___."

He looked at me and smiled. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm getting old and I don't recognize people like I used to. Will you tell me who you are?"

I gave him my name and told him the irrigation company that I had worked at. We chatted for a few moments. He was returning from Calgary, AB, where he was taking treatments for an illness. He was staying with his daughter and they had decided to grab a few groceries before going to her home.

I shook his hand, and we said goodbye.

As I turned to walk away, he said, "Thank you for taking time to talk to me."

I about fell over.

As this memory drifts through my mind today, I think how aging levels the playing field. And if we're fortunate, we are left here long enough to learn our lessons about humility.