What Mr. Jones Taught Me

I have a soft spot for old men. The men that just keep trudging on in life, doing their daily routine all day, everyday. Tonight, I had the privilege to talk to an old man who reminded me the importance of life.It went like this: I had volunteered to make phone calls thanking donors who had donated to my school. I really dislike talking on the phone, whenever I do, my brain stops working and the words I'm trying to say get stuck, mixed-up and jumbled in my mouth and come out in all kinds of ways. Thankfully, they give us a script, but to be honest...I still mess up quit a bit. Partly because it kills me to sound automatic and rehearsed, but whenever I try to stray....I get lost...really lost. But I press on and hope that my mistakes are minimal or unnoticeable. Toward the end of my list I called Mr. Jones (not his real name). The phone rang for an eternity, so I hung up. Later I tried him again, thinking he still wouldn't answer, but in about three rings I heard a voice on the other side of the phone. "Hello" "Hi, is this Mr. Jones?" "I guess so." This answer made me laugh out loud. I gave him my scripted spiel and when i stopped....silence. I wondered if he was still there when suddenly he hear, "Hallelujah!" "Praise God!" I started laughing and was kinda taken aback. I had had similar responses, but nothing so excited as this one. Mr. Jones went on to talk a little bit and the I started to say goodbye. But before I could hang up he asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?" I laughed. Really?? He gave me some advice, I thanked him, and began my goodbye again. He said goodbye, then "how many brothers and sisters do you have?" I felt my heart break...this guy was lonely. We continued to chat, well he talked, I just started saying yes, uh huh, and so on. But every so often he would say goodbye, and then begin a new subject. I learned that he had lost his wife to cancer, and that he was ready to go home too. We finally said goodbye, after he told me to stop by anytime....(Why not?) I hope that I was able to give Mr. Jones a little joy today, but in reality, he taught me no much in those few minutes. I was reminded that people are lonely. Lots of people just want to be loved, to know that they are loved, to have a conversation with someone real, another person who has feelings, can sympathize, and have a face-to-face conversation with and person who can laugh with them, cry with them, and walk with. So many times, I feel sorry for myself, I'm lonely and no one wants to be with me/talk to me/ I don't want to bother anyone. The best cure for this is to stop being self-centered and go find someone who is in the same situation. Get the focus off you!