The other day Linda and I were talking about what I witnessed at Cracker Barrel. We discussed how wonderful that gesture was of the younger man and his family toward the older couple, giving them some money toward their restaurant bill. I expressed to Linda how sad I was prior to this, seeing the aloneness in the lady's face as she warmed her hands on her coffee cup; how the man rested his face on his hand as if he was in misery. I wondered if they had had an argument or something that they weren't speaking or even looking at one another. And then it changed when the young man stopped at their table with his gift. Like a burden was lifted or something. I speculated to Linda that perhaps the young man told them they reminded him of his grandparents, maybe?? I'd love to think that's what he told them.
We wondered how that happens in relationships, in marriages. When did the words dry up? How could people not have anything to say? Both Linda and I are talkers which makes it that much more difficult to comprehend. There is lots to talk about, even if only about the menu, or how hot the coffee was. I remember an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Debra and Raymond finally went on a date and found they had nothing to talk about. Having watched the show on occasion I can certainly see why, but for the sake of this episode, it came as a surprise to them. Mostly to Debra, as Raymond is fairly unaware of things other than himself. All they could talk about was the butter. Now, I can hold my own talking about butter, but I am not limited to it!
They struggled to think of anything they had in common to converse about other than their kids or families. It was supposed to be funny but it was also thought provoking. How did this happen to them? I would guess having three children including a set of twins is a distraction, as would the constant intrusion of Ray's parents. Without their family, they had nothing else to share. They tried to find a hobby to share including golfing but that didn't go well. Eventually they decided to just drop it, and leave things the way they were. Such a grey existence but then again, for them, it worked. I like to think grey is not my best color!
