ROUTE 321

I met an old woman, who really put a smile on my face and got me thinking. I mean when an OAP decides to have a conversation with you, you listen (well thats how I was taught anyway). Even if you wanted to do a runner, it ends badly for you when u realise for example that your going to be riding the same bus with them for a while. Anyway, yes there was an old lady and this was our second encounter (not sure if she remembered our first) but I digress.. back to my story. It starts with the usual opening line 'hello dear, do you know if the bus just left' or 'sorry love, do you know what time the next bus is coming' (they assume you must be going the same way, which is why you are at the bus stop... not considering that u might be waiting for a lift, lover, friend).. moving on; you respond '10 mins' and thats when the flood gates open. The woman just went on and on... I mean literally in the 10 mins we were waiting for the bus (yes, I was waiting for the bus too) I learnt she was going to visit a relative - who by the way she really didnt want to go and see. I knew what party she voted for in the election and who she had always voted for, she told me about an incident on her last bus journey. This involved a naugty nine year old boy who 'she set straight', of course we talked about the weather and how she almost got ripped off by a taxi driver. He wanted her to pay twice the fare but after she informed him that she had 'people in the business', the cabbie agreed for her to pay a reduced fare. I bet the cabbie was more scared of her wrath and who she knew, that he just could not chance it!!!!
The bus did come (finally) and of course the conversation continued. She doing all the talking and me responding some what enthusiastically with 'oh ok', 'really?' (all the while trying to plug into my earphones discreetly but hoping that she got the message) - she did. She made the decision to let me enjoy my music but remained in my line of sight so she could say something if she caught my eye! Not only did she change seats thrice and still within my line of vision, she ensured that I knew when the bus was going to be heading back. I mean Bless her! she really was a sweet old lady. On the occassion when our eyes met, she told me she decided she was not going to visit her relative afterall and was just on the bus for the ride! Thats when it hit me, this woman was soo lonely that she needed to get out of her house, be out and about on a cloudy spring day with temperatures almost identical to winter and it saddened me. Why you might ask? well because most of us will get to that age and may or may not have to be out and about but will experience loneliness. I mean many of us are not her age (she was born in the time of WW2) and experience this already. For instance, spk to my old man today and he was doing almost the same thing, out and about (not in freezing temperatures), visiting family!!!!! Coincidence or a certainty?