so rare

On this glorious afternoon laced with high blue heavens and greenery as I walked by the benches that line the edge of the lake, the only person in sight was a frail elderly gentleman on the last bench, who saluted me smartly and said, "Good afternoon, my dear, I would stand up but I'm just too damn old!" I sang a cheery "absolutely not, enjoy your day " as I kept on striding through the golden light. Now I wish I had stopped for a chat. How often does one meet gallantry at the edge of a Tuesday afternoon?