Touching Moments
Three local interactions that I won’t forget
Margaret Williamson
New Year’s Eve 2022
Margaret Williamson
New Year’s Eve 2022
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.
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.
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.
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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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These brief moments of human contact and communication with strangers remind me of what it means to be alive.