Young and Old

The small child's hair is at that awkward length but she will not tolerate clips, bows or hairbands. Despite this she looked smart today in her woollen dress, tights and new coat. Grandad took her to Sabbath School, as usual, and she was kept occupied and contained by three rows of families during the service. The support is good!

This evening the girls and I attended an International Food Night for fundraising. I over-indulged, unsurprisingly. Whenever other people cook...

I sat next to an old man in his wheelchair. He was looking worse for wear and has been shrinking in his chair over the past two years. Every time I see him I wonder how much longer he'll hold on. He is quite tall and must have been a large man once. He is covered in skin cancers, with frail hands and yellowing, saggy eyes. If he is in pain, he doesn't reveal it. He always smiles at you and tries to engage you, if only for a moment. Tonight he held out $5 for the small child to buy food. She doesn't understand money yet so just stared at him. I'm pretty impressed at his determination to be part of the community despite how easy it would be to give up and just stay at home. And cheers to the people who bring him to such events to help him keep living and not just breathing.