It was an extremely chilly morning
I was on my morning run
There was barely a soul in sight
I saw an old man sitting by the lake
He was shivering
I went up to him and asked him if he was okay
He said he was fine
I then proceeded on my run again
After completing my rounds i went up to him and asked him as to why he had come out on such a cold day
And he answered as follows:-
'It doesn't matter if it's rainy,chilly or too hot..when i sit here amongst the trees,the lake,the blades of grass,watch the birds and listen to their sweet melodies..it reassures me that i'm not alone..and to be honest at this stage of my life..i need that..my wife died many years ago..my children have long left me and gone away..coming here and sitting amidst nature gives me the courage to make it through to the next day...I like sitting here,listening to the sounds and just taking it all in...it's therapy for my soul.'

His answer just blew me away and i started conversing with him and since that day the man has become one of my closest friends,confidante and guide.He turned 80 this year and is still physically active.I meet up with him everyday and the time that i spend with him is so enlightening.I keep learning something new almost everyday.

And he keeps telling me that **the greatest gift a man can get in the winter of his life is the gift of friendship.