Yesterday I had a letter conversation with a new friend in which I was reminded of a lesson taught me by a local friend with whom I often have conversation. This friend and I are retired. She is retired and caring for her elderly father, which means she is more tied down than a teenager on restriction. My elderly parents are more able and my time is largely my own, as it has been for much of the past two decades.

The lesson I am repeatedly taught is: Other people have lives