The Gift of Lightness
There are geezers in worse shape than you are. Maybe its a cousin, maybe an old friend. Maybe somebody stops being able to talk. Maybe somebody loses the ability to walk and is stuck in a goddamned wheelchair. What can you bring? One thing you can leave at home is any pity you might be feeling. Nobody wants to be reminded of his or her disabilities. These people want to live, just like you do. They want to focus on what they still have left, not on what they’ve lost. They may not be able to do this right now. They may be too disabled or in too much pain or be mourning too deeply. They may need your help to lighten the room and to open it to sunshine and to laughter.
How? I don’t know. This geezer doesn’t have all the answers, not by a long shot. It’s enough he has are questions. How would you gauge the atmosphere in the room? How would you respond to it? What are your instincts? You’re right there, on the scene. You’re in a better position to sniff it out. Would you tell a joke or clown around? Suppose the person is sitting there in tears. Clowning may not be a good approach or it might. One thing you can do is let this person know how much you care for her, for him. If the plague ever goes away, you can kiss her on top of the head, you can lay a loving hand on his shoulder. If it’s not safe to touch, you can still make it known how glad you are to be here with your old buddy, how damned glad you are.
So here we are, my friends. The geezer thanks those of you who’ve been reading this stuff, those who’ve been partaking of the geezer experience. He hopes that you’ve found it here and there enriching. Now he’s wanting to hear back from you. He’s wanting to hear how the stuff he’s circulating grabs you. If it reawakens a memory or casts a fresh light on your own experience, let him know. If you smell bullshit, by all means let him know. Hold him to a high standard. If he takes offense, tough shit. Every act now and then can use cleaning up.
So let’s open the windows and let the fresh winds blow. Let’s have some dialogue. Send this hungry old man some fresh meat to chew.