The Old Man And The Dolphins

We were walking to Mardalup Park this morning as we always do. I was reminiscing the week that we'd shared with your daddy's mum and dad. The weeks seem to fly when we have guests, but I am always grateful for the chance to spend time with your family and for the opportunity for them to get to know you. 

Back to our walk along the path by the river. It's the same path we walk to get to the same park pretty much every day. I should probably take you to other parks but in many ways I'm a creature of habit. Plus you like this park and it's the only one nearby with a baby swing and equipment suitable for you.

You were grizzling and there was an obvious lack of spring in my step this morning; I was feeling tired and grumpy. We don't have late nights but the early mornings (you are such a morning person) have been catching up with me and I am starting to lament the lack of sleep. Passing under the foot bridge that connects the north and south sides of the Swan river I saw an old man standing in his slippers by the river bank. I felt sorry for him. It's a feeling I often feel for old people. I thought he probably doesn't have anybody at home to remind him that slippers are for indoors. No doubt he suffers from Alzheimer's and somehow wandered outside and ended up here. Just then I realised that his presence near the water was purposeful. He was following a pair of dolphins swimming near the shore. Another group of walkers stopped and so did we, waiting for the dolphins to surface again. The look of sheer pleasure on the old man's face was heart warming as his eyes darted from the water to the spectators nearby. It was a joy so pure that I couldn't help but smile. I took a mental image of this man's face that I hope to retrieve sometime in the future when the situation calls for it.

The happy old geezer really put things in perspective for me this morning. I wasn't going to let worries or a lack of sleep affect my mood  or my day. Life's too short, as they say.

So thank you old man.


P.S I hope you don't have Alzheimer's and just happen to be fond of your slippers.