.the ageless lady.

two days ago i went to a nursing home. thought it was just another church visit. something ive done thousand times. miraculously, it was different. i dont know was it the atmosphere or was it me. there were about twenty people in the nursing home. there were 30 of us. more or less. one lady had her bed to the living room. the others were sit on their chairs. amongst some gloomy faces, there was this one lady. she seemed so happy. her face blushed. pinkish, considering she has a pale white skin color. shes petite. wrinkles covering her face. but i know theres something about her. when we had a break, i came close to her. i asked her name. she asked mine. and suddenly i found myself conversing with this lady.

her: darling, do you know that you have the brightest eyes and the most beautiful smile?
me: hahaha...am i??? thanks...btw, how old are you?
her: um,,,i forgot. i know i shouldnt forget my own age but you know, as you grow older you start to forget things that you shouldnt be forgetting.
me: ah, its ok. you seem so happy. i guess thats what matters. so, do you like to sing?
her: yes yes yes darling. i love singing. i used to sing in church. i love the song that you sang, whats it called?
me: its called the heart of worship. you know, you remind me of my own grannie. she loves to sing.
her: oh really? yes yes, its one thing i never forget. thats why im so happy. thank you. you know, you should come here every week. and dont forget, say hi to your grannie.

and i went back to my seat. from my seat, i can see the whole room clearly. i can see wrinkles everywhere. walking stick here and there. i looked around. found some faces smiling back at me. some were giving me frown. there it was. third chairs from the right. in the front row. one face that soothed me. its hers. right then and there i said to myself "thats what i wanna be when i grow old". age may rob her smooth skin. change it into wrinkles. age may wipe her memory. left her with nothing. but age cant steal her faith. and thats what makes her different from the rest. her beauty comes from inside. shining out like a ray of light. age cant take away the very thing that she does for her LORD: singing. i think, in the end those are the ones that matter. when the programs finished, everyones going home. treating it just like any other day. any other visit. i went home that day with an inspiration. a priceless inspiration from a lady who forgets her own age. i call her the ageless lady.


*dedicated to the ageless lady in the nursing home