It is said that with age comes wisdom, that statement is not always true though. I've met a lot of elderly folks that , for whatever reason , decided to not show the wisdom of their years. Matter of fact some kept it so well hidden you couldn't even tell it was there.
Yesterday, as I was walking through downtown, I happened to notice an old man sitting alone on a park bench and as I did he looked up and briefly glanced back at me. For some strange reason that moment shot me straight back to a day in 1972. Maybe it was his face or my mind ? Whatever the reason, it struck me as one of those "magical" clips of time.
I was 16 then, a long-haired, hippy troubadour tripp'n around Central Park in New York City with my guitar and a few friends. We were going to have lunch in the park that day when we came up on a old, old man sitting on a bench. I remember to this day what he looked like. Long thick white hair with an equally long white beard. About 100 years old, clean, well kept, a very friendly type. I guess at the time we would have just called him cool.
As you can guess, we stopped and shared a few hamburgers with him, exchanged small talk, you know hung out talk'n with "the old guy." Now for those of you old enough to remember, this was around the time the Beatles had the Maharishi Yogi, Dylan was "finding God" and magic ruled the air. The longer we sat listening to this man, the more mesmerized I became with this ancient figure.
I don't know how long we stayed, but right before we parted company I asked him, " In all of your years old man, what's the most important thing in life ?" He took his time, as you could see him really giving it some thought, and we waited...expecting some amazing revelation, this was our "wise man from the top of the hill" and he was about to unveil the secret of the universe.
If I live to be 100, I'll never forget that moment he looked up, and with a boyish grin said, " Go barefoot more often, people should go barefoot a lot more."
Don't know how long we stood there, silent... thinking...letting this cosmic nugget of wisdom sink into our young minds. It wasn't what I expected, then again, I did ask for something I didn't know. I do remember as we said good-bye and walked away , it was about 20 feet or so before we all stopped and took off our shoes. I looked back , as to say thank you , but the old man was gone.
Now, between you and me, I honestly don't know if that was just some old "bum" or someone's grandpa that had wondered off for the afternoon, or maybe....just maybe, it was Him. You know who I mean, just taken the day off and enjoying a little sit down in a park. Silly to think it could be ? Just as silly to think it couldn't be.
Needless to say, I went barefoot the rest of yesterday.
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» left by Dianne Lehmann(5,093) Dianne Lehmann (1 year 260 days ago.)
Lovely article and memory. I wonder, do we still revere old age as much as you and your friends did then. I think not. Our western culture just doesn't seem to be heeding in that direction. Shame, really.
Of all the things he might have said to you, that's one I wouldn't have expected. Look for joy and happiness, maybe. But if you think about it, going barefoot connects you directly to the earth. And maybe our real truth lies within the earth and our connection to it.
Thanks for your memories. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 260 days ago.)
Dianne, Thanks for your comments and an interesting view of his remark. Connected to the earth, I like that. I have to tell you, I've thought of that old guy a number of times throughout my life and perhaps he was telling us many things.
Get closer to the earth - enjoy the simple things - relax and expel stress( my wife is a massage therapist and tells me everything is connected in the feet) or maybe he just meant it feels good. Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(11,694) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 258 days ago.)
Hi Michael, What a great story - it made me smile. Being barefoot is one of my favorite things to be. Funny, that this man of wisdom would say be barefoot more often, my mom used to get on my case for being barefoot as a kid.. Thanks for sharing the memory. Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 258 days ago.)
Hi Teresa, Aahh to make someone smile. Thank you,and I really mean Thank You, we have days that are up and days that are down....you comment couldn't have come at a better time. Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(11,694) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 258 days ago.)
Hi Michael, Praise the Lord-His timing is perfect! God knows and cares :-) you have been blessed with a gift, It has been wonderful to see so many of your articles on the front page. Keep them coming! Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 258 days ago.)
Your family is so lucky to have a female such as yourself at the center of things. Those four words " His timing is perfect" that,, I must hold close right now. Thank you again and I know what you mean about have my articles picked for different honors.
I told my wife, not a lot of people must be sending theirs in or something. I do feel humbled and honored everytime I see one up there. Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(11,694) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 258 days ago.)
Awe, thanks Michael. I appreciate that. OI pray God's blessing upon you and your wife. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to You" James 4:8 Respond to this comment
» left by sue thom from nj (1 year 258 days ago.)
hi michael,
great story. i couldn't wait
to see what the old man had
to say, and then, i smiled...i go
for reflexology and we have
discussed the benefits of going
barefoot often-it connects us
to the earth, the energy in it,
and i thing it's freeing. thanks
for sharing. i was frolicking through NY
myself from 1974 through the 80's, now my kids are!
best regards,
sue thom
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 258 days ago.)
Hi Sue, Ohhh...the lost art of frolicking. Glad to see you taught it to your children. Now that's a National holiday we all need. I can see it now...." I won't be in tomorrow boss, me and the wife are going to the park to celebrate National Frolicking Day." Thanks again Sue Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 258 days ago.)
michael (my favorite name, which is why i named my son michael, he's 20,)
and one of the frolickers, and my daughter lives in montclair, or shall we say, rooms and plays in montclair, she's 22, and is always in the city, or jumping out of a plane! i think you should work on getting that national holiday-oh, and men's hair cannot be above the collar!
i was the only one in high school who went out with someone with long hair, and now my 17 year old is the same! life is wild, since my high school sweetheart is not his father, but we are back together for 9 years, after living different lives for 23!
best regards, and keep writing,
sue Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 258 days ago.)
Well thanks Sue, your story is very interesting . Funny you should bring up hair length, just last night I shocked my wife by saying, " I'm going to shave my head." didn't happen ...but it did surprise her. Respond to this comment
» left by Judi Lake(1,875) Judi Lake (1 year 256 days ago.)
It's funny, Michael, the things that stick in our memories, huh? Thank you for your touching story... it could've been Him, couldn't it have? What a great way to meet you - looking forward to more of your writing! Respond to this comment
» left by Michael Kocis(1,052) Michael Kocis (1 year 256 days ago.)
Thanks Judi, and yes ,it's strange the things that stick out in memories. I couldn't tell you anything else about that day, I tried, and I can't even remember exactly who I was with then.
Again Thank You for your lovely comments Respond to this comment
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