As I caught up with him, he stepped aside, turned and with the sun shining on his beatific face commented on the glorious day that it was. I adamantly agreed. "If only every day was like this" he said. "Well, we need poor weather days to appreciate days such as this" I replied. "Oh yes" he replied "that is true".
He sent me off with a "Have yourself a wonderful afternoon." As I turned to go my heart melted as he started singing to himself with his slight lilting accent. Now there is a happy, content man.
I found my place along the river and just as I lay back and closed my eyes I heard his singing voice get closer. After another brief exchange he settled at the bench a couple meters away. I succumbed to the warmth of the sun an
d started into a doze. As the river babbled to me, my thoughts would not rest as I was so tempted to continue my conversation with this man. I wanted to know him, his life, and what has brought him meaning as I struggle to find purchase in my own.
Just as I sat up to ask him, he had stood up and started moving on down the path. I was tempted to call after him but instead watched the opportunity saunter away with each pole plant. It took me a while to let go of my disappointment.
As I was leaving I found him further along sitting on the river bank and with courage asked if I could join him. It didn't take much prodding to delve into his life. With very few questions he shared and I just watched the deep satisfying creases in his face and sharpness in his eyes and listened.
Traveling through his life from the present to the past we started in Canmore (for the last 11 years after he lost his wife of 44 years and his only son),
from Nova Scotia,
from Montreal (where he was a journalist for 33 years with the CBC-I am disappointed I didn't ask what kind of journalism),
from London (where he met the Irish lass who became his wife - his words),
from Dun Laoghaire, Ireland (a small town just outside of Dublin - that I have visited- where he was born).
This is Sean, at 88 years strong, and this is what he had to say:
"Life couldn't be better with my health, good friends, good perspective on life, and this incredible place to call home. "
"Girl surround yourself with good people. And if somebody says something offensive to you, you just turn on your heal and walk
away. That one person is not worth knowing. There are 100 other people out there that are."
And when I was about to take my leave he said while wagging his finger at me:
"Remember girl, life is for living."
So,
