Victoria octogenarians find laughter on a blackberry walk

A walk through a Victoria back alley in search of blackberries became a small adventure for three octogenarians and their two caregivers. Along the way, the group admired flowers growing beside chain-link fences, picked blooms for bouquets and traded jokes.

At a tree covered with handwritten wishes, Leigh, Vic and David reflected on their own hopes, from relief from physical ailments to having more time ahead. Leigh said life is about making the most of each moment, spending time with loved ones and being kind whenever possible.

The group’s search ended at a bush with only unripe red berries. They tasted them anyway, found them sharply sour and laughed together. For Sue and Aria, the shared laughter was the sweeter result of the outing.