Good Morning,
Here is something that happened to me at the grocery store last week. Hope you enjoy. : )
MARC'S GROCERY STORE WHERE DISCOUNTS COUNT! (or hey it's cheap)
"Sonny can you help me find the price on 1% milk?"
When called "Sonny" my inclination is to bolt.
"Here it is ma am’." The display sticker was in plain sight, the $2.99 price poorly hidden.
"Ooo is that how much it cost?" She said in mock surprise.
It was clear this was not going to be a quick interaction. I had stumbled upon someone old and lonely she had found someone stumbling through the dairy aisle.
I said, “Yes, I think all the varieties here cost the same."
Her pale blue eyes lit up as she perhaps noted my furrowed brow and the bead of sweat rolling down my face. Our eyes locked in a nod solidifying the unspoken agreement, age had earned her the right to ignore my iPod budded ears.
"Oh is that right?" She bent low to inspect the sticker. "Why you’re so smart!"
Yes ma am, but right now I am not kind...It was clear someone had just rolled their 90 yr. old out of the Lost & Found bin...to thin wisps of her gray hair clung a raspberry, knitted skull cap. Her torso sat snug in a fitted brown jacket, hands in bright red OSU gloves. Her pants were the unmistakable green of hospital scrubs and on her feet were some dark blue Crocs. Through the holes I could see a problem.
“uh, you don’t have any socks! Are you gonna be okay like that?"
It's winter here in Columbus...
Which prompted.
“Oh yes, and I have this awful pain in my shoulder" and the sharing of her resume.
She said, "I used to work in politics. You know I was supposed to write a book. I’ve been out of it 30 years. But if I did it…" her eyes darted. she looked over her shoulder…
(No one here but me and Elsie lady…)
"There’d be a scandal!"
Thirty years later I’m not sure who’s reputation is left to tarnish. I do know this would NOT make for very good reading, The philandering of the Franklin County Court judge in his 90’s.
"So, if I do (she interrupted my daydream) it’d have to be a comedy. I love to write!"
Perhaps here's my point. When you cannot run and you cannot hide...you cannot escape the discussion of an old person's medical history.
In addition to ailing shoulder and failing memory, I quickly learned she’d had two bouts with cancer once in her breast the other; colon.
Before I could heartily agree…"yes, I’d like to read it!" (her book)
I was poked and prodded in the chest and ascending and transverse colon. As if simple words were not enough to communicate the message, she needed to illustrate on a live model. Here is something few people and perhaps a melon can say--I’ve been squeezed and prodded by a 90yr. old lady in a grocery store.
By this time, she had stopped calling me "Sonny and talk had turned as they often do.
Was I a student? No.
Was I an OSU student? Yes. once. awhile ago.
Oh really? What did I study? Well, mostly my professors and sometimes my classmates. We called it psychology.
OOOoo she gave me the look my grandpa gives when told for some kids baggy drawers are "in" these days.
"Oooo I better not talk to you then." (hand gesture the CRAZY whirlybird).
I must admit I had a moment…20yrs. of school for this? Quickly it passed as I needlessly explained my specific focus and interest.
What do you do? Do you live alone? Does someone take care of you? Our conversation had taken a left turn. We were no longer walking down the pleasantries of the simple getting to know you path we were knee deep or neck deep in damaged person land. Where everyone has a broken body and a score to settle on the Yahtzee card.
Patience is hard to come by at this time of year but I managed. As I walked away, she even called me "brilliant girl." I called her Jane certain we will meet again.
Happy Monday.
Amanda
Deputy Clerk to Justice Jane
*yes, this really happened
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