What is love though, is the old couple you see inside Mc Donalds pretty much any time of day you go in. I don’t want to say they’re beggars because they never ask for money nor do they ask customers to buy them a meal. The old man just likes to talk to people coming in and out. I think the lady has Parkinsons or something of the sort because she shakes a lot and has little control over her hands and legs. However, her husband is extremely patient and caring towards her. He’ll pull her chair out and push it in, hold her hand, and tie her scarf over her hair and all she had to say for him to do that in a shaking voice was “scarf”.
Big Bear and I were sitting across from them one evening and I turned to Big Bear and said: “If I grow old and shaky, would you tie my scarf over my hair like he does?”
Big Bear: “I won’t know how to tie it like him, plus you’ll never wear a scarf over your hair like that.”
Me: “THAT’S NOT THE POINT!!”
For the last couple of days I have been travelling to the Caulfield Racecourse. Mind you, I was not dolled up attending the races but rather walking around in the rain trying to sight assets. Anyhow, while I drive to the racecourse, I have to pass by the Malvern McDonalds where the old couple often reside.
And this morning, it probably was confirmed in my mind that this couple aren’t beggars. I’ve seen the old man twice sitting at the bus stop across the road from Mc Donalds enjoying in a light hearted conversation with those waiting for their ride. When I see old people, I think of my grandmother but when they’re struggling on their own I wonder where their children are. It might be the way of life here because I know a lot of old people (even in my building alone) who live independently because they don’t want to burden their kids. But this is rather rare from where I come from even if the youngsters do feel a burden.
My Dad often reminds me of his greatest fear – that we leave him alone when he grows old. I always assure him that I’ll look after him but his response is “No lah, I don’t want to burden you guys. Just get me two nurses (one on the right and one on the left) to look after me and don’t send me to a nursing home”. I tell him that some people actually like nursing homes because they make new friends and there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied. In addition to that, I will have to make enough money to find him two nurses! He’s like “I’ll find the money, you just don’t send me off”. I’m surprised that’s one thing that worries my father because given all they’ve given me, looking after them is the least I could do.
On another note, there is an old British lady who lives near me who makes numerous trips to Safeway. But one guaranteed stop on the way is the tram stop outside my apartment. The first time I saw her I said “the tram is coming, do you want me to give you a hand with your things”. She said “No love, I’m just sitting here to rest my feet. I’m on the way back from Safeway”. As I got on to the tram, she gave a cute wave.
Every time I see her, she thinks I’m a random new stranger who is waiting for a tram. And she is another one of those people who live alone because she doesn’t want to burden her kids. She walks with a hunch but travels to and from Safeway so that she doesn’t carry too much weight at any one time.
So back to the man from Mc Donalds, I don’t think he wants anything except from a decent conversation and to feel a connection with the real world. His wife doesn’t speak much, so speaking with strangers might be his only way of temporarily forgetting his unfortunate situation. But the attention and patience he shows his wife, that really is love. And this...
"This is Love" from U-Fhern.com
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