Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Old People

Today I was on the subway in the middle of the afternoon, and an elderly couple got on a few stops after me. There were plenty of seats available, but they decided instead to stand together near the doors.

Now, I have to admit, the elderly -- like, the super duper elderly -- kind of freak me out. It's not because of anything they do, and of course it's not their fault they are like that (wrinkled, like old rotten apples), but I think being in the presence of the very geriatric makes me nervous. I look at their liver-spotted, cadaver-like hands and the way they roll down their support hose until it's practically stuck inside their fat orthopedic shoes, and I develop a wicked tic and feel like a trapped rat in a cage. I see my future -- of mashed bananas and stool softeners and hearing aids and irritated younger relatives always having to repeat themselves -- and I am horrified by it. Truly horrified. I don't want to go out like that.

But. This couple was somehow different. I couldn't help but watch them.

If you put aside the teased, brown-dyed cotton swab of hair that sat upon her head, held up in a frizzled bun with a decorative antique comb, and the stained dentures that were fastened to his gums with what looked to be a painful bit of rusted wire, this couple was damned cute.

They stood face to face and and leaned into each other with that familiar, loving absentmindedness that you see in couples who have been together for so long. He had a protective arm around her waist, and he kept putting his cheek to hers in order to whisper things. She would look up at him and laugh. Like, a laugh that was honest and unabashed. I bet he'd been hearing that same laugh for 50 years and it still surprised and delighted him. She looked decades younger when she laughed.

You don't think of old folks as still having it for each other, right? But boy, these two did.

And it made me feel all gushy inside.

I pictured them doing this.

Just kidding! Hee hee!!!

14 comments:

Laura said...

I love it when you see old people acting all coupley.

There are two who go about where I live and they wear little matching hats and scarves all year round and they walk everywhere hand in hand.

They are too adorable.

I hope I'm still that in love when I'm ancient and old.

Anonymous said...

I used to hate old people. Because I feared aging. At 25, I referred to myself as middle-aged, because I planned on stopping at 50. But if the sex is that picturesque, I'm stickin' around.

Anonymous said...

your future?

mashed bananas and stool softeners sounds kind of like your present.

Anonymous said...

Ok, I couldn't bring myself to click the link...

I was, admittedly, frightened at what I might find.

I immediately had flashbacks to the day, back 18 years ago or so, that my grandpa told me to go get something out of their bedroom and I saw a box of rubbers.

AHHHHHHH~~~ the utter horror!

Krissyface said...

Bunny, It does give me hope, I'll say that. Matching wheelchairs is not the worst way to end a life well lived.

Jack, I remember feeling that way too. I was so stupid at 25. Now I'm 35 and really smart. Or just really a lot older.

Jeremy, Mmmmm! I must admit, I do like me some bananas.

Cat, EEEEWWWW! Yes, then don't click the link. Or do. It's pretty hilar.

Anonymous said...

Hey Krissyface, Kara and I didn't see you. You should have come over and said hi.

Krissyface said...

C dub, you guys were just so in your own little world, I didn't want to disturb you. Nice dentures, chris.

kimberkara said...

I clicked the link. I need a really big eraser to erase that mental image. buuuhhhbleh

Seeing old people in love (not naked) are one of the few things that you see that reminds you that life can be good. Life can be simple and love can last forever. It gives us hope just maybe it is even possible for us.

Warped Mind of Ron said...

I plan on kicking the bucket before then, admittedly I don't have a lot of years left, but it's my plan and I'm sticking with it.

I'm Scooter, but I might be a troll. said...

Kris, you live in North America... in NEW YORK. Let's say old is 85. In the next 50 years, the advances in medical science that will be available to you at reasonable prices will Boggle. Your. Fucking. Mind.

Dude, you are more than likely going to make it to 120 and have the corpse of a hot fifty year old.

Anonymous said...

I am sure I will die from murder and not oldness, but oldness is scary as hell.

Krissyface said...

Kim, I totally agree. There is hope...

Ron, you never know. Might be wise to start combing the old folks homes now for a nice lady, just in case...

Scoot, I have the body of a hot 50 year old now.
omglol.

Mr. U, really? Murder? Scandalous...but in case you don't, might want to keep those cyanide pills handy in case you reach a ripe old frightening age...

fu said...

growing up on long island you didn't see too many old people cause they all moved to Florida when they turned 60 but in Connecticut no one ever leaves, you can't throw a rock without hitting an old person and they all drive......s-l-o-w ... God I hate old people.

Mrs. Redpants said...

OMG- you are so going to think that i bit off you! my last post was about old people loving up on each other. dag nammit.