‘Who were you back then? Before the lines, before the aches, before time took your strength away?’: Woman urges ‘every day is a blessing’ after encounter with stranger

“Who were you before?
Back then?
Before the lines, before the aches, before time took your strength away?

Who were you?

I saw you today.
I reckon that was your granddaughter skipping beside you, and your daughter beside her.
Because of how you looked at them both repeatedly, regardless of if they were looking or not.

You love them.

You were looking.

Your walk was tired, old, sore.
Your spirit wasn’t.
I could see on your face the stories you may tell.
You had a cheeky, loving, and humble look in your smile.

It got me thinking.

Who were you?

Before now.
Back then.
Back when you walked as a 20-something-year-old.

I would ask you if I wasn’t sat in the nail salon, complaining about how my life is sooo hard because I had the smallest inconvenience today. I needed a reminder I’m lucky.

I’m lucky to be walking in the body of a 20 something…
And, every day is a blessing.
Because one day, the days will catch up.
One day, I may look at my child the way you looked at her today.

I wonder…
Were you a goody too shoes?
Did you like to sew and paint?

Did you have a fairy tale marriage?
Probably like the one your daughter describes being raised around.

Did they describe you as a total babe?
Did they say you were a total angel?

Did you go through pain as a result of someone else’s?

Were you happy?

Were you loved?

I’m sorry to say it like you’re gone, because you aren’t. You were right there today.

But I know, regardless of age, you may not be here tomorrow. None of us might.

So you… beautiful, old lady, walking through the shops today, was it good?
Did you enjoy your time?
I hope so, my love.

I saw you catch me looking. I saw you wink. And, you bet, I won’t waste it girlfriend.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Lucy Watts. You can follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

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