I was watching an old woman today. She was sitting at a park bench a few over from me in the shade. She was watching a small boy play with a balloon in the presents of his parents. She had this incredible smile on her face. It caused all of her skin to bunch up in a million wrinkles of tissue paper thin creases. Her thin lips disappeared with age turned upward in motion of something magical. Like she was watching a secret she had waited her whole life to unfold answered right before her eyes.
I wanted to ask her what she saw, what she was thinking, what she knew, but I couldn't bring myself to interrupt that moment.
The look on her face, the joy in her eyes, it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life.
9 comments:
She was probably thinking back to her memories of being a kid and realizing that her end is near and was trying to enjoy the memories while they last.
aww sometimes its the little things in life ya know?
the scene sounds very peaceful =)
I bet she would have loved it if you went to talk to her. Next time, don't hold back-that beautiful moment might get better. :)
What a great story Brian :)
What a lovely moment!
I agree with Mags..Next time ask her what she was thinking about. I bet she would've been happy to tell you.
I love that you take time to notice life's moments, good and bad.
I was just at Lake Nokomis myself, but did not see such a scene.
she was probably remembering a moment very similar to what she was witnessing. it's a beautiful thing when you just take a step back and look at your life. you just might smile yourself.
I heard it through the grapevine - all the way in Hawaii - that somebody dumped a port-o-potty into Lake Nokomis the other day and they had to close it.... I hope that wasn't you trying to go round watching people's reactions to that too.....
hehehe
ps I loved the way your compared that old lady's wrinkles to tissue paper - I can just imagine her cute lil smiley granny face all a-glow with happiness.... I hope age treats me that well someday too :)
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