Jimmie, an 80-year-old gentleman, retired to Florida after his
wife of 58 years had passed away. He was quite alone in the world
and longed for companionship. One day, as he was walking through
a public park, he spied what he considered to be a very pretty
silver-haired lady sitting alone on a park bench. Getting his
nerve up, he approached the lady and asked graciously, "Pardon
me, ma'am, but may I sit here with you."
The silver-haired Marcia looked up to see a distinguished looking
white-haired gentleman and replied, "Why certainly," and scooted
over gently to give him room to sit down.
For the next two hours the two sat and talked about everything.
They discovered that they came from the same part of the country,
liked the same big band music, voted for the same presidential
candidates, had had long happy marriages and lost their spouses
in the last year, and in general agreed about almost everything.
Finally, the old gentleman cleared his throat and asked
sheepishly, "Ma' am, may I ask you two questions?"
With great anticipation Marcia replied, "Why certainly!"
The old gentleman removed a handkerchief from his coat pocket and
spread it out on the ground before her. He very gingerly got down
on one knee and looked her softly in the eyes. "Marcia, I know
we've only known each other for a couple of hours, but we have so
much in common. I feel I have known you all my life. Will you
marry me and be my wife?"
Marcia grabbed at Jimmie's hands and said, "Why, yes, I will
marry you! You have made me so very happy!" She reached over and
kissed him gently on the cheek. Then Marcia said, "You said you
had two questions to ask me. What is the second question?"
Jimmie scratched his neck and said, "Will you help me get up?"