This week I witnessed what I’m calling the fine art of old dude forgiveness. It was a moment so impactful, yet so understated, all I can do is describe the scene and you can decide for yourself. Here goes:
I’m writing at a coffee shop and I notice an older guy sitting by himself waiting for someone. Maybe late 70s…
He’s nervous. Eyes keep darting to the door…
After a while, another older man comes in and they make eye contact. A quick nod. It’s cold. Curt.
The 1st man’s eyes dash down to his coffee cup…
The second guy gets in line, orders, grabs his coffee and slowly sits across from the first guy…
They stare at each other for a moment…
It’s clear neither knows where to start or what to say…
A beat. Then two. Then three…
I’m eight feet away and I can feel the tension…
Finally, the first older guy starts to speak:
“Thanks for meeting me. I just want to say… I… I… “
Another beat…
Then the 2nd older guy cuts him off with a wave…
“Ahhh… We’re old. Forget it. I forgive you. Let’s just move on.”
The first guy is stunned.
Like he’d sweat and stressed and rehearsed this moment and this meeting for weeks and now… it’s over.
No big conversation. No arguing. Nothing…
“Really?” the first guy says.
“Yeah. We’ve been friends too long and life’s too short. Especially for old bastards like us.”
The first guy looks like he’s going to cry. But he doesn’t.
The second guy reaches out and pats his hand…
They stare at each other…
Then the second guy says, “felt good to beat the damn Jets, huh? screw all the New Yorkers…”
“Screw the New Yorkers,” the first guy says, snapping out of his daze…
And that was it. Football talk from then on…
And I have to say, I don’t know what their issue was or how long it went on or what their relationship is…
But there are a thousand life lessons in this exchange and it was a beautiful moment between two old dudes…
Two old friends… forgiving, forgetting and moving on with their lives to preserve the friendship.
Had to share this with you all.
Can’t stop thinking about it.
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But now I really really want to know what the issue was