Our car battery died in the parking lot of our local Flower Power. Man went out on foot to find us a new battery and I sat in the café, watching my rug rats eat banana bread with their grubby garden hands and dirty fingernails.
The older man seated by me was lunching with his 92 year old mother. They sat next to a table where there was another man, a very old-looking man, who was eating alone. I was close enough to hear the entire conversation. He was 89.
The very old-looking man had his walking frame in the way and the younger man asked if he could move it slightly. It began a conversation between them. After they discussed hearing loss tidbits, the older man told the younger man that he needed his walking frame as he was injured in the Borneo War.
The younger man turned his body towards the older man, reached for his hand and he shook it firmly, with sincerity.
The younger man said, “Thank you, mate. Thank you. Thanks for everything you’ve done for our country, mate”.
The old man’s eyes, already swollen, red and watery, brimmed with tears as the younger man held onto his hand.
They spoke for a while but I couldn’t hear them. My own eyes were full and my heart was heavy.
My quick sniffle caught my son’s curious young eye.
“That old man”, I leaned down into him, whispered and pointed. “He’s a real hero”.
My Man returned promptly. He was sweaty and angry but he had found our new battery.
Happy Father’s Day to all our heroes.
Love,
Robo X
August 31st, 2013 at 20:51
That’s beautiful ❤
September 2nd, 2013 at 20:51
It was X
September 1st, 2013 at 20:51
It’s beautiful when you over hear something so moving. Agree, it pays to see a bit of hero in everyone. x
September 2nd, 2013 at 20:51
Every day heroes… 🙂
September 1st, 2013 at 20:51
hotdamn you can write!!!
That makes me sound like a yank but I keep offending people by saying goddamn so I changed it. 😉
September 2nd, 2013 at 20:51
Really? Jeepers! 😉
November 21st, 2013 at 20:51
I loved this post when you wrote it and I love it now. Hotdamn! Darn-tootin! Jeepers it’s great!
September 4th, 2013 at 20:51
What a lovely story! And how generous of the younger man to say thanks. Not everyone would do that. Would have made the old guy’s day.
September 4th, 2013 at 20:51
Agreed. It made my day too X
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
It’s amazing what you can find out if you bother to ask…
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
That’s so true.
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
So many types of heroes. Can’t help feeling sorry that a lot of older heroes don’t have people around them anymore 😦
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
I know. I feel for old people as well.
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
Thanks Robo, this precious story has made my day.
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
Thank you!
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
Wonderful. I’m sure the war hero would hold that encounter close to his heart for a very long time.
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
What a fantastic story! Amazing what you can learn just by tuning in to the world around you. Big respect to both men, one for being a real hero & the other for acknowledging it!! Warms the heart! 🙂
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
I really like the way you capture these snippets of conversation sometimes. It’s these little moments in life that make it all worthwhile I reckon.
September 5th, 2013 at 20:51
A beautiful story.
September 6th, 2013 at 20:51
Oh how sweet was that! You brought a tear to my eye too! ;(
September 6th, 2013 at 20:51
It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day, does it? Good reminder! 🙂
September 6th, 2013 at 20:51
Lovely little story. I love having those moments where you accidently overhear a snippet of conversation that sends a spark to your heart. I’ve written about similar moments on my blog. It can really turn your day around 🙂
September 7th, 2013 at 20:51
Robo, you are adorable. Love this story. Brought tears to my eyes. x
September 7th, 2013 at 20:51
Lovely lovely story. So glad i read this tonight.
September 13th, 2013 at 20:51
What a wonderful reminder that summer will soon be on its way! I can’t wait to let my freckles glow and get rid of my own winter muffin top! Have a blast on the GC 🙂
November 21st, 2013 at 20:51
Loved this story the first time I read it and still love it now! xx
November 22nd, 2013 at 20:51
This just made me cry, there are not words for how beautiful this post is xxxx