Are you a computer expert?

Out of the noise of the hospital lobby, as I sit gazing at the multiple instant messages that pop up left and right. A voice saying "Are you a computer expert?". The crackly old voice that is Bill, a stranger I have not met yet...

I look over to my left, putting down the now traditional morning frappachino and smile back at an already smiling man. He tells me he wonders if I am a computer expert by the way I am typing so fast. I am proud to say that i've been a geek so long I can type with little effort at a nice speed of 100 - 120 keystrokes per minute with great accuracy and the ability to correct myself on the fly.

don: No, i'm no expert, just an enthusiastic hobby that I enjoy.

Bill: Oh, IC... My name is Bill. I grew up on a farm and we did not have this sort of thing....

Well this friendly introduction led into the next hour of conversation between Bill and I... Sharing with one another, the things in life that we enjoy and things we do not or did not enjoy... He tells me that he is 94 years old and I tell him that my grandmother recently passed away at 94 years old...

I thouroughly enjoyed this conversation, it was absolutely peaceful and felt more natural than the typing to friends I was doing on the computer. Mostly of people sharing their problems with me and me offering some advice that I may not even believe in myself but found appropriate at the time...

Are the days gone when two people.... Two strangers can just strike up conversation and talk for an hour without feeling the need to cut things short.

Thank you Bill for the conversation, it is one I shall not forget for the rest of my life... I shall bask in your 94 years of wisdom and reflect on it when life reminds me of it...

It is a good day, and I am proud to be who I am...