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Touching Moments

Three local interactions that I won’t forget

Margaret Williamson     
New Year’s Eve 2022

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​Exchanging a greeting with a regular passer-by on her way to the corner shop, she (Muriel) asked how old I was. When I answered, her reply touched me deeply: “I wish I was that age – I’d still have my husband”.

In the local charity shop a dignified gentleman was handing over two very good coats: a sheepskin and a quilted jacket. With a slight tremble in the voice, he said “My wife won’t be needing these any more”. I was pleased to see that the volunteer assistant sat him down with a cup of tea. Something she also does for the man who sometimes sells the Big Issue outside.


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​And in the post office queue, the old chap in front of me asked if they had any Golden Wedding cards with the word ‘Wife’ on the front. “Congratulations” I said, “when is it?” "Tomorrow!" he answered, with a slight sense of panic. The counter assistant (daughter of the postmaster) kindly came out to help him find something suitable and nobody complained about the extra wait.

                           -o0o-
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​​These brief moments of human contact and communication with strangers remind me of what it means to be alive.


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