My 86 Year Old Grandmother's Story about dating.

How older people handle their very worst date.

My grandmother was married to my grandfather for I believe 50 plus years. I still remember their 50th wedding anniversery and it was really sweet. I hope I got the numbers right however they were married a really long time. Well after my grandfather had passed from an extended stroke, I was driving in the car with my grandmother and she started talking to me about her boyfriend that she had been seeing. I had a hard time driving as i just pictured my grandmother dating. Woman named Ethel Matilda simply did not date in my mind. I had met Mr. Peterson and he was quite the person. I loved talking to this man with with wild steel grey hair. According to my grandmother,   Mr. Peterson was 95 years old. He did not look a day over 75 in my mind. I always thought they were just friends. What else could they be.

Well she. Ethel Matilda, sat in the car as i drove and she talked to me about a date they had. My grandmother never learned to drive. I am told she had tried a few times and failed miserably. So on her date Mr. Peterson did the driving, I do not remember her telling me what kind of car he drove, my guess was a station wagon.  She tells me they were headed to do some shopping and all was going well until Mr. Peterson suddenly stopped the car in the middle of the road.

Ethel- Why did you stop the car in the middle of the road.
Mr. Peterson  - What
Ethel - You know what I said.
Mr. Peterson -  I stopped the car because I can longer see. I don't think it is safe for me to drive right now.

I do not recall ever asking my grandmother how they got home that day. I didn't seem to matter when she told me the story. Mr. Peterson recovered somewhat and they continued thier relationship after this incident. I am not really sure how long.

Many years later in another car ride with my grandmother, after Mr Peterson had passed away she went out of her way to tell me how much she loved Mr. Peterson. She told me this in a confident tone that was reaaly nice to hear from her. Mr Peterson and her/ was a relationship in a different era where woman had a voice.  I think she liked that part of her relationship. And she liked that Mr. Peterson could express to her that he could no longer see, much alone drive.