I Love Old Men

Men over 80, that’s who I like hanging out with.  I love how they mutter, clear their throats, I love the banded waist of their shirts and jackets.  I love their worn hands, ears, noses.  I really love how they let me tease them and they tease back.  Some of my favorite old men, Doc Rock who calls me beautiful and young, my grandpa Peck who pats me and says, “honey… it’ll be alright,” and Don Kiefer who yells out, “hey baby!” as I walk by his house. What’s not to love, right? 

They have found joy in simple things and they have to tell others about it, sometimes over and over…

(“Say, did you see that they’re building a new road…. It’s really somethin’ why, those workers…just amazing…”) 

I have found older men have a wonderful way of putting things in perspective.  They have lived long enough to see a whole lot of life. They know first hand most things work themselves out; no reason to get all uptight about it.  It’s a lesson I need to learn and re-learn. 

So here’s to the old duffers, codgers, wise guys, love, love, love you old men!