I delivered library books last week to one of my favorite customers. Her name is Bee, she is 93 years old, and she is a delight. We sat and talked about what she had been reading and she said she had read in bed until 2:00 a.m. the previous night and had been "transported to Paris." She told me that she has always loved a book that can take her to another world. She doesn't complain about her life, but certainly has an awareness of her age and frailties - the realities of this world.
I was charmed by her girlish enthusiasm, and could picture her curled up under her covers following the Parisian romance that unfolded on the pages before her.
She gave me the book to return to the library and I told her I would probably check it out for myself. I did.
Sounds like a great book! I found that once I hit about 50, suddenly I felt much more in sinc with older people than I did with younger people. Rather than feeling close and attached to my younger years, I started feeling more disconnected from my youth and began looking ahead more to my older years. Not always totally happy about it, but youth has started to feel a little less relevant for my life, while older folks have become more relevant.
ReplyDeleteSo nice you have a 93 year old friend!
I have had a much stronger affinity for the elderly since losing mom and dad. I volunteered at a nursing home as a kid and I think that also helped me develop a certain empathy that I have carried with me.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm 93 and can still read I hope I have a wonderful library volunteer bringing books to me!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if she knew the name of this book or whether the library selects titles she might like?
The library made the selection for her. I let them know how much she loved the book, so they will surely look for something in a similar vein for future deliveries. The women who work at the library are very careful and considerate about their selections.
ReplyDeleteYour post is like poetry & it made me tear up - what a special friendship! xxoo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marti. She is a neat lady with the bluest eyes I've ever seen. She was once a great beauty and still is in the purest sense of the word.
ReplyDelete