Hand in hand, an elderly couple strolls a few paces in front of me. I slow my walk to match their rhythm. It's a nice, lazy Sunday and I have no reason to rush.

A breeze washes my face with the gentle aroma of flowers and foliage. The soft shush of leaves is soothing. Invisible ducks quack overhead, somewhere beyond the tops of the trees.

They take a left turn and walk towards a children's playground. Just beyond the playground is a lake. Drawn by benches near the lake, I follow.

Young squeaks and giggles fill the air. Tiny flashes of color race excitedly around the swings and slides. Parents stand by with their bottles of water; a cautious yet cheerful vigil with a steady supply of Evian.

The couple pauses and watches the children. I see a hint of a smile on their lips. Their eyes try to follow the energy and just end up glazing over. The smiles don't fade though.

Suddenly, his wife grasps his arm and points past the slides. A hearty chortle escapes his mouth.

Just past the slides is a merry-go-round. A tinkle of bells and music playfully surrounds it. Inside, dozens of kids swirl around, their laughter blending together like sweet cookie batter.

Her husband takes hold of her hand and pulls her towards it. She shakes her head, "No, I couldn't possibly, that would be so embarrassing, no way…"

He persists.

"But we're too old," she retorts.

"No we're not," he declares matter-of-factly. She sighs as he leads her to the merry-go-round.

I watch them climb inside. He helps her onto a horse and then take an adjacent one. There's a wide grin on his face and she can't stop giggling. Kids watch on and parents smile. I think one mother even has a tear in her eye.

The ride begins and the laughter of elderly couple joins the sweet cookie batter of the kids'.

. . .

How old do you think you have to be to play on the merry-go-round?