George, you devil!
I love spending time on my own. Many times, I will have lunch by myself. I love observing peoples reaction to dining on your own.
It starts with - table for just you? No, my invisible partner would like a place setting too- doh.
The thing is, society has become so used to being in company, being entertained, not being alone that we become oblivious to our surroundings. We seem to have to focus on something. The person eating alone without the need for a newspaper, mobile phone, tablet or company to keep them "busy".
By being alone and comfortable, is how I met George. George is 87. He lost his wife of 65 years only 4 months ago. Elegantly dressed with a twinkle in his eye we got chatting. See, if you are not drowned in social media or electronics or mindless conversation, you have the opportunity to engage.
Admittedly, he tells me how he misses her. I cannot for one second comprehend how this must feel for him and I do not pretend I do. I simply acknowledge the major change in his life.
I understand loss. I understand loneliness. I understand reaching out. I understand the joy in simple conversation with a stranger where we do not have to explain anything. The uncomplicated joy of just being.
So after telling me how blessed his life has been and how people shop to keep themselves happy and miss out on true happiness and a few laughter's from generations of wisdom, he looks at me and says- you know, when people ask me what I did for a living, I tell them: I was in the meat packing business.
But really, I worked for Playtex.
George you devil!
It starts with - table for just you? No, my invisible partner would like a place setting too- doh.
The thing is, society has become so used to being in company, being entertained, not being alone that we become oblivious to our surroundings. We seem to have to focus on something. The person eating alone without the need for a newspaper, mobile phone, tablet or company to keep them "busy".
By being alone and comfortable, is how I met George. George is 87. He lost his wife of 65 years only 4 months ago. Elegantly dressed with a twinkle in his eye we got chatting. See, if you are not drowned in social media or electronics or mindless conversation, you have the opportunity to engage.
Admittedly, he tells me how he misses her. I cannot for one second comprehend how this must feel for him and I do not pretend I do. I simply acknowledge the major change in his life.
I understand loss. I understand loneliness. I understand reaching out. I understand the joy in simple conversation with a stranger where we do not have to explain anything. The uncomplicated joy of just being.
So after telling me how blessed his life has been and how people shop to keep themselves happy and miss out on true happiness and a few laughter's from generations of wisdom, he looks at me and says- you know, when people ask me what I did for a living, I tell them: I was in the meat packing business.
But really, I worked for Playtex.
George you devil!
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