Chapter 1 A Morning Swim

On a serene morning at the beach, an unexpected dialogue unfolds. As we swim, we greet an elderly man, which sparks a simple yet profound conversation.

"I appreciate your care here," I mention casually.

His reply, "I do what I can," lingers in my mind. What does he truly mean by that?

I lean against my husband, listening intently, though I often find myself trying to decipher the rapid Jamaican patois. Each word seems to hint at deeper meanings.

His five words echo in my thoughts: What is his "what"?

As my mind wanders, I reflect on what "what" signifies for me:

• Rise from bed as best I can.
• Respect the energies around me—be it God or the universe.
• Navigate my day with my essential responsibilities.
• Show kindness to myself and others.
• Offer help when possible.
• Rest well for another day.

Yet, I doubt my interpretations align with his perspective.

Chapter 2 A Genuine Spirit

Suddenly, I snap back to the moment, realizing the old man possesses a truly genuine spirit. He shares about his family—his wife, two sons, and possibly a daughter. He mentions how he has cared for this little beachfront property for many years after moving from Mandeville.

An Unexpected Turn

Just as I am lost in thought, he turns to my husband, who is fully engaged, and quips, "Why don't you give me this woman?"

I am taken aback, wide-eyed at this sudden twist in our chat. I stutter in surprise, "What would you do with me!?"

His response is playful, "The same thing this man does with you!"

As the sun intensifies overhead, I feel the heat of his straightforwardness and instinctively step behind my husband. "Oh my," I exclaim.

Marshall chuckles, "Chaw," and we both burst into laughter, enjoying the unexpected humor of the moment.

Chapter 3 The Takeaway

In his candid compliment, the old man honored both of us. He made Marshall proud to have his attractive wife at his side. In a fleeting moment, I felt like a precious starfish on the sunlit sands.

We were grateful to engage with this old man who does what he can, whatever that means to him. Later, Marshall and I reflected on our encounter and agreed: we appreciated his energy.

Ultimately, his simple act of kindness that morning uplifted us, reminding us that small gestures can make a significant difference in life.

The first video highlights the remarkable strength of an older gentleman showcasing his incredible abilities at Muscle Beach, illustrating that age does not define one's capabilities.

The second video captures an elderly man impressively dunking at Venice Beach, demonstrating that passion and spirit can defy age limitations.

Photo by Anders Wideskott on Unsplash

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Photo by Thomas Lefebvre on Unsplash

Embrace the idea of doing what you can to enhance your life each day. Subscribe for updates on my writing and support the global community of writers for unlimited access on Medium. Join us in our Jamaican adventures through our Sunday newsletter. Blessings from Jamaica.