Amongst the bustle and turmoil of the university scene, where young 'soon to be's' study, laugh, eat and drink, sit an old man. With his back to the glass, and his face to the crowded bar, he sits. Invisible to some, out of place to others, unapproached by all, he sits alone.
A picture of contentment? The old man sits, an almost empty schooner by his hand. Wide, open eyes survey the crowd. He sits there day after day, yet, only the Barman knows his name, but that’s his job isn’t it?
The student is a creature of bondage. Enslaved to deadlines and computer terminals like they are the source of its existence. It’s time between classes is precious. It’s Focus is this….. I must study, so I can be recognised, so I can be given money, so I can feel fulfilled.
The student rules it’s domain. Struts around thinking “all serve me”, and it’s true. The ground staff, the food staff, The Bar staff, the lecturers, even other students serve. However, this old man doesn’t fit into a category where the student can see how he can serve them.
What can a university student ever learn from an old man?
The old Man’s name is Stevie. He turns 80 in June. Scottish born, came to Australia when he was 27, retired from work before some university students I know were born. His story is one of pain sorrow, and beauty. He has an amazing heart, and a drive that many today lack. The unibar is his “local”.
This man can show us whipper snappers, what life is. Life appears in the lines on his face, the gleam in his eyes, and the hardness of his hands. His time in the trades, the people he has spoken with, the hardship confronted and bested. These are precious things. My generation does not spend enough time sitting in awe of the stories of our forefathers. Let alone comforting and serving them.
Pray for Stevie, and say hi to him. He’s in the Wollongong Unibar almost everyday.
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3 comments:
Amen dude. There is stacks to be learnt from older people. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are an invaluable asset, especially at church.
He was even thinner than I am. Freaky.
Yeah. Gotta be slightly careful tho - eg. my grandpa still will not even mention what happened to him during the war (he's german) and if u bring it up, the nightmares start again :S
To take yr point one step further - when are most ppl even interested in anyone but themselves and their immediate friends? Let alone in old ppl. Amazing how you can live in a city, and no-one will talk to you unless its the cashier or someone that has to.
Oh, and if you do - ppl look at you as though yr a freak/stalker/serial killer..... :S Like the guy on the bus today - i said "Hi" and he freaked out.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
What has society come to???
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