The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
Corner Pocket
It doesn’t seem fair to give too many details, since she didn’t know she’d be on the record. She challenged my friend to a game of pool, she challenged everyone who passed by the table. Even at 81 years old she beat them all, consistently, without arrogance. “I’ve got confidence in myself,” she declared. She played slowly from time to time, checking to see if her challengers were trying to go easy on the old lady. She had her long gray hair in a ponytail, she was short in stature, but studied the room with clear blue eyes.
She ran the bar across the street for many years and told tales of troublemakers. There was a laminated prayer card in her pocket. She mentioned her husband and I leaned in, “What’s his name?” She lit up as she answered. She lit up in a way that I envied.
I asked her the best thing about being in her 80s. “You learn a lot in life. You learn a lot.” She said God still has something in mind for her, and I believe it. Smiling at her across the table as she made faces or raised an eyebrow, watching her calling shots and schooling a few young hipsters in the art of pool playing, I learned a lot from her as well.
–Colorado.
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
81 and playing pool! Amazing! 🙂
She walked in pretty slowly, but she was the most interesting person in the place! 🙂
Paige
Wow what an amazing lady
Joanne, I think we’ll be like her in our 80s, right? 🙂
Paige
Inspiring older women are especially cool.
Here here, Evelyne!
Paige
Wonderful post, Paige ! – only 9 years older than me; and I never got that good at snooker, alas ! [grin]
M-R, You look fantastic, by the way! I am not gifted with a cue either, but she inspired me to watch a little more closely.
Paige
I loved this post. So inspiring. Thanks.
Thank you so much! She was quite a find! 🙂
Paige
Never underestimate the chronologically gifted. They have depth, spirit and wisdom! 🙂
Chronologically gifted! What a wonderful term of affection!
🙂 Thanks, Eric–
Paige
Reblogged this on The Nice Thing About Strangers and commented:
Things to look forward to as you approach your 80s (even if it is down a long road). 🙂