Never underestimate the importance of speaking to Billy

Today was confronting for two reasons:

1. The raw emotion experienced in a recent, very tragic, medical negligence mediation - which left the plaintiffs, and myself, exhausted and depleted; and

2. That moment when I very nearly choose to continuing listening to an audio book I was engrossed in rather than having a conversation with Billy.

I met Billy, a 93 year old man, just as I was popping in my airpods and starting off on my post mediation, mind clearing, walk.

Billy approached me and made a comment about my dog who was accompanying me on the walk. I gave a polite nod of my head and a short response hoping to cut short the conversation so I could set off clearing my own head after an exhausting week.

Billy kept talking.

I engaged a little more, but still secretly hoping to move on so I could listen to Kate Langbroek's next Italian adventure (BTW - Ciao Bella is a brilliant read which I highly recommend).

Billy then told me that he left school at 14 but his passion was art and music, and in his view, these creative outlets kept him alive. He then quoted to me a scene from MacBeth.

That cut through my self absorbed desire to press "play" on the audible app.

So I took the airpods out and talked, and walked (albeit slowly), and talked.

I heard Billy's story, I learnt that he started playing violin, at the age of 5, he was taught by a Russian violinist, each lesson costing his mother the equivalent of half a weeks rent. Billy still plays violin. Billy told me that he was eternally grateful to his mother for the sacrifices she made for his music and how it helps him see joy in everything. Billy also told me that the serenity of walking outside, watching the waves and the birds soaring overhead, is a tonic for his soul.

At the end of our walk along the boardwalk, when Billy introduced me to his wife of 65 years, I thanked Billy for taking the time to tell me his story.

What Billy said next still gives me goosebumps.

Billy said to me, "No - thank YOU - our walk along the path today has brightened my life more than you can ever imagine. I see people walking along here tapping their phones and they don't even know I exist. My life has been made richer by our chat ".

I was very nearly one of those people.

As we come to the end of what has undeniably been a challenging year for everyone, for some more so than others, stop and think of those around you.

I am grateful for the Billys of the world, from whom we can learn alot. Billy reminded me that there is great joy to be found in just taking the time to listen to one another. So that will be my mission this summer break - to stop and really listen to others - because I know my life will be that little bit richer because of it.

Merry Christmas to everyone, I sincerely hope each of you has chance to meet a Billy this festive season.