I see myself walking around all over the place. I have more time to do so with public and other activities winding down. Though birds watching takes a certain percentage of my waking hours, I see more and more “me”s walking by. These folks are not always of the male type, after all gray hair is everywhere, these days. Many of these people in their last stage in life twiddle their thumbs and fiddle with their half empty paper coffee cup at the local rest stop. At least these men and women get out of the house. Just imagine the number having given up on searching for connection away from the silent telephones. Staring out of the home window seems more passive than doing so at the corner coffee house. Oh yeah, now we - all of us, have portable electronics to play “busy” with. Some folks are staring at a screen or are they having deep thoughts? After the bottom of the cup has long been reached and sitting becomes a bit too uncomfortable “we” get up, struggle with the zipper of our jackets and then walk out with that look that doesn’t have “destination” or “purpose” written on it. “We” take a ride or just walk home and have a meaningful conversation with the cat, the first real conversation in about an hour. Well, maybe I am strictly speaking for myself, but I don’t think so. Working with volunteer organizations like Friendship Trays gives me the inkling that there are an awful lot of lonely, aimless folks out there. People hidden from the every day life. Slowly ebbing away from the public scene. At least I can look forward to a 2 o’clock meeting and a bus load of house guests this week-end. In the mean time, I wonder what the future will hold for the aging generation other than plenty of doctor’s visits and no-interaction TV shows.
How ARE we going to stay in touch with those who have truly busy days and work hard to make a living. Even our kids seem to fade from the scene. Do you have any suggestions?
1 comment:
I have no suggestions, but I must admit that I've thought about these, "People hidden from the every day life. Slowly ebbing away from the public scene." I do not agree with you that only those with gray hair experience this. I think this "ebbing" you speak of comes in waves and at all stages of life. I am young (in my twenties) and very often I feel myself hiding from the public scene- on purpose. Not as a result of depression, not as a result of ebbing, just a desire to fall between the cracks for a moment. Maybe this is because I am younger and working hard for my living and with truly busy days. But this ebbing is actually very important to me. This ability to hide. So, while I see it as a luxury almost, you describe it as something undesirable or almost even sad. I think it depends on which end of the spectrum you're looking at. Somedays I envy those who have come to a point in life where they can "stroll" and be alone and quiet. There's a lot to be said for that age and the "gray hair" of it. It's a peaceful place to be, I think.
BUT, alas, as someone who is constant outside and interacting with hundreds of new people on a daily basis- it has recently crossed my mind (remind you I am young and learning:)) that there are certainly many, many people behind the walls of these houses and buildings I walk by and through every day that I will never see. And what's even weirder to me is that they probably see me. They watch, but from afar. They have a different perspective on things, on life...on me. They've faded into the background and exist independently from the public scene I function in. But why? Do they choose to do this for life the way I choose to do it any chance I have a day off? Or have these people given up on life?
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