Joseph Kerr, 49, came into the Hawaii Tribune-Herald mesmerized by Mary Pappalardo, 96, after randomly talking to her for over two hours at Kalakaua Park earlier in the week. After describing his recent conversation to our reporter Colin Stewart, he convinced Colin to do a story on the unique friendship and deep respect he had formed for Mary. So, today we met them both at Kalakaua Park under the banyan tree as Joseph again happily and gratefully listen to Mary talk about her past- that included stories about WWII, growing up in Harlem and her large family. Mary wanted "all of us young people" to remember to slow down and put away our cell phones when we are with other people so that we make real face to face connections. She stressed the importance of respecting others and having empathy. She also spoke of never being too old to travel or follow your dreams. (Mary graduated from college at 54 with a teaching degree and traveled to India and Thailand in her 80s.) After about an hour of listening to Colin's interview and photographing the pair, I too was mesmerized. This simple assignment in park left me all warm and fuzzy inside. I've always loved listening to elderly peoples' stories and antidotes about life and meeting Mary and watching the same respect and warmth that I was feeling flow over Joseph's face only reenforced that love. It also made me miss my grandparents back in Michigan.
SO IF YOU'RE IN THE SAME STATE AS YOUR GRANDPARENTS
GO GIVE THEM A HUG.
And if you're not, at least ask the little old lady in the park how her day is going.
