<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I took my 92-year-old dad to the mall to buy new shoes. Afterward, we grabbed lunch in the food court. While we were eating, I noticed Dad staring at a teenager at the next table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kid had spiked hair in every color\u2014green, red, orange, blue. Wild, loud, impossible to miss. Every time the teen glanced over, Dad was still looking. Eventually, the kid snapped:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, old man? Never done anything wild in your life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nearly stopped breathing. I knew my dad. He always had a response locked and loaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without blinking, he leaned forward and said calmly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I once got drunk and did something wild. I kissed a parrot. I\u2019m just wondering if you\u2019re my son.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The food court went silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then someone burst out laughing. Then another. The teenager\u2019s face turned the same shade as his red spikes. He grabbed his tray and bolted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad didn\u2019t even crack a smile. He just went back to his sandwich like nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 92, he doesn\u2019t move fast. He doesn\u2019t hear well. He doesn\u2019t always remember what day it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that day, he reminded everyone of one thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Age might slow the body\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026but it doesn\u2019t dull the wit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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