There was a woman of fifty-six who found herself ageing. Nothing unusual in that, its entirely natural. The time had simply come.
Still, the process unsettled her as she looked into the mirror. It was as if someone was stealing her youth and beauty every single day, painting new lines on her face with a heavy hand. Only recently, she had looked so well! There was an elderly man, always perched serenely on a bench in the square come rain or shine, and he never failed with his compliment: You look wonderful! Such a lovely young lady you are.
Shed walk briskly past the frail gentleman. He would tip his flat cap, sometimes a woolly hat if the cold called for it, and repeat his customary words: Such a lovely young lady! And she would hurry off to work, smiling. In truth, plenty offered her compliments throughout the day. She really did look charming.
Then one morning, she realised she hadnt seen the old man in ages. He was no longer sitting at his usual spot. She enquired to her neighbours and discovered that hed been taken to a care home; his family couldnt look after him anymore, and his children had moved to different towns. So, the old gentlemanhis name was, as she learned, Benjamin Harriswas settled into a residential home, being ninety now and in need of care and some medical attention.
Her worries about her own ageing faded. Her thoughts kept returning to old Mr. Benjamin Harris. After finding out where he now lived, she bought some treats and one Sunday paid a visit to him at the home. And she found him, just as shed hoped.
He was quite content, sitting comfortably and eating a bowl of semolina with butter. When he spotted her, he beamed and said with delight: Oh, what a pleasure to see you! You look wonderful! Such a lovely young lady you are!
Other elderly ladies and gentlemen drifted over, all sharing kind words and praising her. Later, back at home, she caught her reflection in the mirror: her cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkled, her hair seemed full of life and her wrinkles had softened! An attractive woman gazed back at her, even a little younger than her yearsa small miracle, really.
From that Sunday onward, she visited the home each week, helping out and running dance sessions for the residentsshe was a dance instructor, you see. Not for the sake of youth, truly, but because it simply felt good to make a difference, to bring a bit of cheer. To be, to some, like a daughter or granddaughter. And to be welcomed so warmly in return with heartfelt compliments like, You look wonderful! spoken with sincerity.
Other people can be like our mirrors. Not just ordinary ones, but magical. After meeting some, you feel lighter and more youthful; your back straightens, your step regains a spring, your eyes shine and your lips smile naturally. But there are those who can make you feel old, bent, diminished and worn.
We must treasure these magical mirrors, the kind, genuine people who speak from the heart. Especially the elderlythey must be cherished deeply. While there are still old folk among us, we ourselves are not yet old. And we can still help. So believes this woman, who reclaimed her youth and beautyand quite rightly so.
