Member-only story
A Conversation With A Local To Remember
The biggest reason why I write and why I moved to Ireland
On a warm spring day, I took a stroll through Stephen’s Green, which is one of my favorite parks located in the heart of Dublin city, to get some exercise done. I went around the park about four times, and after feeling like I needed a bit of rest, I found an empty bench near the pond. I sat down, pulled out a book from my backpack, and started reading it while I enjoyed what was left of my mocha.
While I was taking the last sips, an elderly man, who seemed to be in his mid-seventies, asked very kindly if he could sit next to me. I said “Of course, my pleasure,” with a huge smile on my face while I gladly made room for him, shifting over to make space. I hadn’t noticed I was sitting in the middle of this bench.
And while he was sitting down, I noticed that he looked so happy. At peace with himself, I should say. He had no books, no cell phone, no newspapers… He simply sat there to watch people come and go.
I found it so cute that he smiled when he saw the kids playing with the ducks in the pond. He would look around with so much admiration in his eyes while he zipped his jacket up whenever the wind got a bit too strong. He seemed to be so cozy and happy.
