For Better or Worse

As an introvert, I like being alone. Now don't get me wrong, I love being with people, I'd much rather be with people than always be alone, but I do treasure alone time. I can sit for hours and simply watch people, nestled in a comfy corner (people watching isn't fun when you're not comfortable). This morning, while writing a paper at Panera (I promise I don't aways study at Panera) I was observing the Panera-goers of Whittier -- the 8:50 a.m. sort.

"HENRY! CALL MARGRET AND TELL HER WE'RE AT PANERA!" Said a well-dressed elderly woman to her husband who was slowly emerging from their black Cadillac.

"WHAT!" He responded in an equally tone death volume.

"TELL MARGRET WE'RE at PANERA'S!"

I laughed to myself, is that what happens after 50 years of being with someone? It starts out with soft commands akin to, "Darling, would you mind telling Margret we're at Panera" in a tone that could be used for "whispering sweet nothings," then I suppose it just evolves from there.

The thing I cannot help but wonder about elderly couples is if they realize how lucky they are to have each other -- I think about that sometimes. But as I watched a 75+ couple walking across the parking lot 20 minutes ago, holding hands, slowly approaching their car, I thought, "they must know they're lucky."

Few things are sweeter to me than elderly couples, I like how comfortable they are with each other, the trusting way they need each other. They have a "I get it" mentality. Meaning, they get that they are together, for better or worse, they've been through bad and good, and they are trusted companions. Sure, not all elderly couples are like this, but it's cute when they are -- even if they're screaming at each other about Margret.

* I took the above photo in Berlin last Fall. See, I'm a sucker for it every time.