Let no one say that getting older means the fun stops. Even a thunderstorm had to back off when it saw the brave (and slightly daft) women heading for R’s pool with their coffee cups in hand. Clearly, these people stop for nothing when a party is promised. And did I mention stories? The sheer joy of hearing about one another’s lives, all lived with a sense of adventure and with great humour, even when times are dark, cannot fail to lighten our lives. Did you hear that L is learning to tap dance? And what about those of us who are travelling into parts unknown without a backward glance? And let us not forget grandchildren stories, a source of delight, dismay, and laughter, even for those without the need to bake endless batches of “healthy” cookies. Even those of us who have lived through our own illness or that of those w e love, have wonderful stories we tell to lighten the travails of those in the midst of such dark times. And then, of course, there is the indomitable S, flipping burgers and smiling courageously while enduring endless teasing about being the sole male presence among the noise and laughter. Did I mention that he is learning to swim – just to encourage a somewhat recalcitrant grandchild to get into the deep end (where she says, there is too much water?) I for one, am anticipating the joy of our gatherings and laughing at our stories for a very, very long time. No one can be too old for that.
