How about some happy news??? [View all]

In March we downsized and moved from a big house in rural VA to a small 2-BR apartment in a three-floor apartment building with about 120 units in Northern Virginia. Most of our neighbors are a lot younger, they work all the time, and we rarely see them.

The building has a gym on the first floor, so, five days a week I go down the stairwell to the gym for a workout.

Last Wednesday as I was walking down the hall toward the stairwell, an apartment door farther down the hall opened and a young lady came out, holding her little Yorkie dog on her shoulder, going out to walk the dog. She looked back at me, said "HI, GOOD MORNING," I returned her greeting and continued down the hall a few paces behind her.

Suddenly, she stopped and turned around -- I was certain she was afraid I was following her or something -- she smiled a huge smile, held up her left hand, and there on her ring finger was the biggest diamond I've ever seen -- "I GOT ENGAGED LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!"

I congratulated her, told her we had been married for 59 years, we spoke a few more minutes, then, she and her Yorkie hopped on the elevator and I headed down the stairs.

I've thought about that encounter ever since. With all the meanness, evil, hate, and general upsetting word that spews from every outlet 24/7, it's good to see normal young people doing normal things. It really is.

I may be an old optimist but that early morning encounter gave me hope.