Old People

I really enjoy old people.  Men and women who are upwards of 70 years old.  They usually have great stories to tell, are unassuming, unpretentious, unintimidating and overall interested in others.  But, I also often experience awkward moments of silence in the midst of a conversation.  I have  wondered what this silence is all about.  I’m sure there could be many reasons for it.  But, I think, more often than not, it isn’t because they have nothing to say.  I think it is because they have learned what not to say.  By the time a person is old maybe they have mastered the questions of conversation to ask oneself before speaking:  1) Is it true?, 2) Is it kind? 3) Is it necessary?   I am pondering this now because I recently made a comment to someone I love dearly.  This comment was not true, it was not kind, it was not necessary.  Although I did seek forgiveness and received it, I can’t wait to be old.