Gerald used to wake up in a lot less pain.

For twenty years, Gerald and Linda woke up at 7 in the morning, ready to tackle the world; or more accurately Cindy would wake them up, excited to tackle the school day. Children are wonderful bundles of energy. Gerald could only wish to go back to those times. Gerald hates getting old, but worse for him is seeing everyone he loves getting old too. This old man stuff is no fun.

Gerald and his wife Linda met in 1981. They both attended Boston University and met in the library. They hung out and found love. They decided to move in together after graduating college. They both were having the time of their lives enjoying each other’s company and more importantly, raising a family. Having a daughter was a challenge, and not everything was rainbows and sunshine, but Gerald wouldn’t change anything about the journey, and thankfully Linda was there with him whether Cindy was a tiny hyperactive bundle of joy, or the typical angsty teenager. Linda was the love of his life. Through better or worse, richer or poorer. In health and in sickness, they stuck together.

He thinks about her every single day.

Gerald gets up from bed at a snail’s pace, lest he crumbles every bone in his body. The aches and pains over the years slows him but surely, he makes his way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Time has taken its toll on the 69-year-old with the slight hunchback, but today, Gerald moved with vigor and motivation. He needs to be at Borough Hall soon.

Gerald puts on his favorite flat cap and starts making his way downstairs. One would think that walking on three would make him faster, but Gerald can’t walk very well without his cane.

He makes his way to the subway to take the 5 straight to Borough Hall as best he could. On a typical day, Gerald looks like another grumpy old man. Today, the brightness in his eyes gleamed all over the otherwise drab faces on the train. He gets off at Borough Hall, and struggles at the staircase, but nothing is to stop him.

Gerald sits down at a bench at Cadman Plaza Park. He sits and enjoys the warm October morning. He looks at his watch; it’s already 11:05 in the afternoon. They said they’d be here already. He sits at the bench waiting for his meeting. He notices the young kids playing soccer on the grass. The young couple across the park enjoying the beautiful weather. The young college student taking notes a few benches away. How he wishes that he was any of them.

The glimmer in his eyes begin to fade. Time has skipped and his awaited appointment is still nowhere in sight. He takes another look at the young kids everywhere and how they live life to the fullest. He bows his head, hands clasped and slumped on the bench, defeated and void of any purpose.

“Grandpa!”

Gerald shoots back up. He seemed to forget the aches and pains in his neck and back to turn his head. A small infant runs to Gerald with open arms and boundless energy.

“Tommy! How ya doing champ?” says Gerald.

The woman behind Tommy also approaches Gerald and embraces him.

“I’m so sorry we’re late Dad! The delays at the trains were nuts!”

Gerald looks back at the kids all around the park. He takes a moment to feel the breeze run through his white hair and he meets the eyes of Cindy and Tommy. He wouldn’t let this moment go for anything in the world.

“Ehhh it don’t matter! What’s important is that we’re all here right now. So, what do ya say we get something to eat huh?”

Gerald lets out a sigh of relief and satisfaction. No time like the present to live in the moment.