On my New Year’s Day walk I noticed an old man looking jaunty in a red tartan scarf. He introduced himself — “I am John”—and we fell into easy conversation as we walked. When I told him I was 81, he laughed a joyful laugh. “I will be 95 this April.” Before parting he asked, “Can I hug you?” We hugged, as snow came down gently on our hats and tiny sleet pebbles bounced off our coats. Two old people, two strangers, hugging at a street corner. “This has made my day,” he laughed. And I agreed. “Happy New Year.”
Born in Berlin, Gabrielle Robinson is author of eight books, most recently Api’s Berlin Diaries.