Life’s interruptions or life’s interventions.
Tortoises need heat. Solitary creatures (other than when they are making sure there are more tortoises to carry on), they are satisfied with pretty much anything in the yard to eat.
They are quiet creatures.
But they don’t do cold.
So when our Cinderella’s heat lamp went out last week, I headed up to our local SuperStore to buy a basking bulb.
* * *
I went in, found the right aisle and started searching for the carton containing the bulb.
I spotted him out of the periphery of my left eye. Coming down between the cans of cat food and fish treats. An older fellow, ragged around the edges, baseball cap on, Braves t-shirt and not many teeth left in his mouth.
Maybe he’ll go on by.
Okay. That’s horrible. But I was in a hurry. I’m the first to admit, we try to cram too much in our lives.
“Ya gotta snake?”
“”No. No, sir, we have a turtle and I need to get a heat bulb for her.”
“Oh.”
Great. Maybe that’s it. He turned silent for a second. Then before I knew it I opened my mouth.
“Well, it’s not really a water turtle, she’s a tortoise. And to my surprise, I’ve become quite affectionate toward her.”
What I done? I engaged a conversation that was waning and sure enough, the old fellow jumped right through the door I just opened.
I learned how he had a box turtle as a boy. He told of the wooden crate they built for him to be outside. Then he spoke of finding a female and how they mated. Eggs resulted and then more turtles.
Things he said prompted other comments from me.
“We really need an opaque structure. I know glass is not the best enclosure for her.”
“Eggs. Really? My son is dying to find a male so he can have babies poking around.”
Quiet for a minute.
Sensing a lull in the turtle talk, I ran to shut the door on the conversation quick.
He turned quiet again.
Then he said, “Yesterday was my wife’s birthday. I lost her April 23. We were married 49 years.”
His head lowered and he bit his bottom lip with one of the few teeth he had left.
“I’m so sorry.”
He looked up with tears in his eyes.
I asked if he had children in the area. He said he did, but added with a laugh that they never come to see him without asking for money.
“Every now and then I think on how hard it would be to have shared a bed with someone most of your life and then one day — they just weren’t there.”
He looked at me and nodded.
He hadn’t wanted to talk my ear off about tortoise enclosures and reptile mating.
He needed his wife and she wasn’t there.
That’s life. None of us gets through without ending up a bit ragged and gaping with holes to fill.
Needing someone to talk to about turtles.
As you say, none of us gets through without gaping holes. And I could’ve written this post — from how the conversation started to figuring out the truth behind the need. I think some of us just are listeners by nature. And when I’m in that guy’s place, I hope I find someone like us to listen… nice post.
I know Julia, that’s what’s dawning on me the older I get. We all will be there about something. Thanks.
This was absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad he had you to listen. Thanks for posting this today.
The sand, the sand…I have sand in my eyes. I was right there with you. Poor guy.
What an amazing gift you gave that man- a moment of interaction that maybe soothed his soul for just a bit. I read this with tears burning my eyes. Good for you.
Great post!
You just never know when you can make someone else’s day just by lending an ear.
Beautiful. What a gift you gave that man. And then to those of us who got to read it. Thank you.
What a beautiful piece of writing is so true. I`m glad that you were able to give that old man a kind ear and a true conversation – something he was probably longing for.
What a great story. Thanks for sharing!
Great post. I love how you couldn’t stop yourself from continuing the conversation with your mouth even though you wanted to end it in your head. Good for you for taking this little detour that life gave you.
That was so very kind of you. I’ll remember this the next time I am tempted to brush by someone who looks as if they want to talk a bit.
Awww, what a sad feeling and a sweet moment. I’m glad you could be there for him for a few..
my heart breaks for him. You captured it all perfectly.
Poor guy. 🙁 He needed someone to talk to that day and you gave it to him.
We’ve always had California Desert Tortoises. They aren’t the most exciting pets but we enjoy them anyway.
Awww, poor old guy. You lifted his spirits that day.
Beautiful piece. I often wonder about my two grandmothers… who lived for 15 or more years each without my grandfathers. That kind of love is rare – and lonely in the 15 years.
This was so beautifully told. I often try to do the same as you – rush in and out of places and avoid conversations with people. This is such a lovely reminder to stop sometimes and be there for the people who just need to talk about turtles.
I felt like I was there with you. The moment he talks about his wife, I let in a breath and felt a tear. It’s nice to know we can connect when we least expect it.
Oh that was so sweet. Thank you for giving that man conversation and an opportunity to vent. Bless his heart. My grandmother died last month and sometimes I’m glad my grandfather is too demented to quite ‘get’ it. He used to be the most emotional man with the biggest heart. If he was still himself he would be broken.
Good for you, even rushed, taking the 8 seconds to engage him. he just needed someone to hear his voice.
*tears*
That was lovely.
I know this sounds sappy, but it seems to me like you intuitively kept up the conversation and he was grateful to share this with you!
It sounded like you were there at the right time.
What a lovely post.
I’m so glad that you were there for that lovely man to talk to about his wife. PS: I hate tortoises. Okay, gigantic snapping turtles. (-:
I’m glad you stopped to talk to him. This was really sweet 🙂
What a sweet story! And I think most of us can relate! When I’m out and about with my son, or just walking to school, there is no way we can get by someone without my son being the chatter box! And I have to translate a lot, he has Down syndrome. He can be quite the charmer and it almost always results in the other person going on his merry way, feeling a little bit merrier!
This is such a touching story. I always try to remember that we don’t know people’s stories and can’t accurately judge anything about them based on appearances, but I fail about 130% of the time.
This was a fantastic story. Bless the old man.
Well gosh darnit my (imaginary) allergies are acting up.
Glad you gave him a few moments. That makes me so sad.
Now I really want a piece of pie! And that does sound like such a fun activity.
What a lovely story and the older we get the more we relate. I think as we age, the more sensitive among us start looking at others more, listening to others, and seeing our intense vulnerability in the shadow of the gaze of others among us.
Loved this – it took such a great (albeit sad) turn at the end I wasn’t expecting. Excellent post.
I love the way you told this. The pace of it was spectacular, like watching a movie. What a sweet, sweet story.
I envy you in my home even now that most have flown the nest treats still vanish in record time. I at times think when I get home I am going to have a slice of the lovely tart that was in the fridge but when I get home it is always gone.
This is so sad. I’m so glad you were there to talk to him about turtles. I just picture he wondering aimlessly. You just never know what other people have been through, and I’m so inspired by the time you gave him. What a blessing.