Sharp and curious, my 85-year-old neighbour wades into conversations with a joyful openness | Nova Weetman

She isn't young, and yet she remains outspoken, passionate, and alive to the world in ways that many aren't

My friendships have mostly been with people of a similar age, but that all changed when my 85-year-old neighbour left a CD in my letterbox after hearing my young son drumming wildly in our garage. She wrapped the CD in a note written in her finest hand, explaining that she thought he might enjoy the sounds of her friend's band, The Necks.

Others in our street had understandably complained about the endless noise because the sound reverberated through their walls, creeping into their quiet spaces, and ruining their days.