this morning i shared my walk in the park with the most PRECIOUS man! he appeared to be in his upper 80's and from my years of experience of my granny batting alzheimers, i would bet the farm that he suffered from it as well.
when i first came upon him, our eyes connected and i offered a friendly, "good morning!", he smiled ear to ear that i had spoken to him and he replied back with "good morning!" as well. i walked past as his shuffling steps were much slower than mine and his smile lingered within me even as i had made a lap and was approaching him again. this time, upon our eyes meeting he responded, "good morning!", as if we had never met. immediately my heart sank and i became consumed with memories of similarities of my granny. i continued my next lap telling myself that he did recognize me and that he just wanted to speak first this time, until i came upon him one more time....our eyes met and he responded with confidence in his heartfelt greeting, "GOOD MORNING!", my response with tears falling from my chin, "GOOD MORNING!". i continued past wiping tears that were now flooding down my face, knowing for sure that he had either previously been given a diagnosis of alzheimer's or it would definitely be in his future. never-the-less...I WAS THE LUCKY ONE that had met him in the park and had never been so glad that i had offered that initial, "good morning!" to him. i continued walking hoping that i had made him as happy as he had made me. while i know HE MAY NEVER REMEMBER THAT GIRL IN THE PARK, i will NEVER FORGET HIM!!
