Part 25: Growing old with the old
As you know, I recently moved and started a new job. I also stopped working at the temple. Even though I continue to age, I thought that no longer working at the temple would make me less of an old lady; although I continue to play bridge (ok I played it once), eat poached eggs, avoid wearing heeled shoes, and enjoy family history.
I started going to a family ward and I love it! It is riddled with old people which makes for much entertainment. I find that the elderly are often like young children in that way.
For example: This last sunday, in RS, we had the last few minutes for testimonies. A sister with a walker stood up at the back to share her testimony from there. She was talking a little quietly but I didn't think much of it. About 5 minutes into her testimony, another older sister at the front of the room stood up (also where she was) and said rather loudly: "SISTERS, I'D LIKE TO SHARE MY TESTIMONY..." Across the room someone yelled "SHARON IS ALREADY GIVING HER TESTIMONY, SISTER!" At which point, the second sister apologized because she hadn't heard the first sister talking for that entire 5 minutes. Everyone then went back to their glazed looks like nothing had happened.
On Monday night, we had 3 older single ladies in our ward over so they could tell us about their month-long trip to Antarctica! We want to invite different people over like this but for some reason, we (maybe it's just me) are drawn more to the older ladies than the young families. Or maybe it's that the older ladies are more approachable and easier to be friends with!
My new job also finds me on the phone all day with many older people. From them, I also find entertainment, but mainly frustration. They don't know how to attach files, close a browser window, open a new browser tab, turn on their computer, or put their phone on speaker phone. It made me wonder if the older ladies in my ward that I love are also lacking these skills? I wondered how I can love these customers as much as I love my ward members? The solution is obvious: I need to go to church with all of them. Anybody want to join me on a road trip?
If I do the math, I'm not really as old as 'old people', but according to the cartoon at the top of this post, I am one.
I'm glad I have joined my people.
4 comments:
I think you're pretty old...
I really want to go to your RS someday. Sounds like pure entertainment. So hypothetically, is someone still old if instead of peeing when they laugh, sneeze, or cough, they fart?
I'm glad you've found your people. When I got married I suddenly became old. I started going to bed ridiculously early (which is my definition of old). But at least I still know how to use a computer, so I can't be that old.
Bravo Melissa - this was one of the best posts I've ever read on any blog anywhere. I laughed so hard. I too am an old soul (and body). I like to eat dinner at 5:00 and I like to go to bed at 8:00.
That story about RS testimony is so funny, I am going to be giggling about that for days.
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