Village Inn. A restaurant my friends and I frequented in college and in our young adult years. We counted on endless coffee and appetizers or desserts that when shared worked within our limited budgets. It’s been about 30 years since I was in one of their restaurants. That is, until I was house hunting in Florida a few weeks ago.
Seeing the familiar Village Inn logo flooded my mind with memories of the friends from that time in my life. Those memories drew me in for brunch.
In the past, my friends and I were the majority of the customers, making for a young crowd. This time I was in the minority, being among the 5 youngest customers in the restaurant. From my booth, I had a clear view of those arriving. I smiled at the couples shuffling in together, some holding hands, others helping the other manage their mobility equipment. I realized that I was seeing a glimpse of Jerry and me 20 or 30 years in the future (if God grants us those years). 
Our move to Florida is not for retirement, at least not for several more years. But seeing these people filled me with joy and anticipation of growing old(er) with Jerry. I want to be one of those older couples still holding hands while shuffling in together.
The following week, I observed another sweet elderly couple join me in a waiting room. As she came in with her walker, her husband carried her purse. I am a sucker for that look, it brings out the sentimental part of me. Sitting nearby their conversation wafted to my ears.
It was midafternoon and they were deciding if they had time to get dinner before going to a concert. As they talked about similar events they attended the husband referred to one as “high class and sophisticated.” Upon hearing this his wife said, “well maybe you don’t want to go to this one then, it is classical music.” Not missing a beat her hubby replied, “If you want to go dear, I do too.”
Awwww – I love that!
I don’t know how many more years God will give us, or if we’ll have the health and abilities to get out and about like these dear ones. Whatever time God gives us will be sweet. In fact, I find my attitude toward growing older becoming one of anticipation.
What about you? What do you anticipate about growing older with your loved one? What brings you joy as you think about the years ahead?