Slate's Geezer Issue One Year Later: "Diary of a 100-Year-Old Man: Dreams of My Mother, and a Visit From My Grandson"

In the second of three diary entries, the 100-year-old frenchman Leon Despres opens the door to his co-op to graciously invite the reader in. As the reader steps into his "world," he cannot help but feel empathy and a sense of familial affection towards the aged man. Why is that? This grandpa reminisces over the memory of his beloved wife and dreams of his deceased mother as he watches his "congenial caregiver" fuss over his clothes, meals, and bodily functions. These actions allude to the somber reality that he will pass onto to join his beloved soon.

Depres inspires the reader to cherish relationships and look for the simple pleasures in life. Sometimes the inevitable boredom of retirement is the cure to stress and unhappiness.