Old age has crept up on me, although by many standards I am not old. I am older than I once was, but generations ahead of me chuckle at the idea that I am old. Yet, the spring in my once lively step is gone. I am well acquainted with the banter as I ascend or descend stairs, and plan my outings around the weather, some of which makes my joints ache. I rise and fall with the sun, and…
1. The formica table which sat below the window that was far too high on the wall. Or maybe I was so much shorter, and it seemed abnormally high to me. The table was always full of projects, papers, coupons, and bowls. The deseeding of figs for her sister, the coupons to give away. There was nothing particularly special or beautiful about the white and black table, but I remember how we sat in the battered chairs and discussed many…
I know it’s January and you’ve finished all your Christmas reading until December again, but that’s what I’m about to share with you. I read a boat load of Christmas stories in December and wrapped up a non-fiction book that I’d been slowly working through. The Twelve Days Of Christmas (Macomber) Julia Padden is bubbly, friendly, and outgoing. Her neighbor, Cain Maddox, is not. She’s convinced he’s rude just for the sake of it. While bemoaning this to her bestie,…
I stand in the middle of the crowd and know what people think as they stare at me. They see me smile as I give them my full attention. I listen and nod while they share their woes and troubles. I offer sympathy without judgment, and an encouraging word where I can. They stare into my eyes, which I presume are gray or brown or whatever color they were when I was born. It’s hard to remember, because I haven’t…