CONTENT WARNING: Death

I’m a cashier in a small second-hand bookstore. I’m behind the register talking with a regular customer while an older gentleman is browsing an aisle nearby. I have the radio playing when “Man, I feel like a woman” by Shania Twain comes on.

Older Gentleman: *At the top of his voice.* “I’m goin’ out tonight, I feel alrigh’.”

He then sings the whole song word for word and even includes some pretty impressive dance moves that I, someone in her early thirties, would have trouble with while the regular and I watch with awe and admiration.

Older Gentleman: *After the song ends.* “Sorry about that. That was my wife’s favourite song. I haven’t heard it since she passed away almost a year ago.”

Me: “That was amazing! Please don’t be sorry.”

The regular and I ended up talking with the gentleman and finding out both his wife and he were music teachers and loved all types of music from classical artists up to One Direction and everything in between. He had recently moved into a nearby retirement home and was hoping to find somewhere nearby that could teach him the basics of computers so he could listen to music again.

I ended up having to assist another customer, but the gentleman and regular ended up sitting down together, helping him find a free class aimed at helping people with basic computer skills.

For the next two years, the gentleman would come in a couple of times a week and always knew the songs played on the radio, even the newer stuff, thanks to free classes.

Unfortunately, I just found out he passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. I hope he’s now singing and dancing with his wife again.