listening

I used to visit a close relative in a residential center. We would sit in a living room with old movies playing on the T.V and surrounded by other sitting residents. Her cottage
mates would address me with beseeching eyes and news of lost belongings or of an uncomfortable fabric. My response was consistently "thank you for telling me that" or "I am glad you told me that". I would see their body and area around their mouth relax and their verbal expressions would cease.. Could it be that whatever state of mind we are in.. with our marbles or without our marbles.. we want to feel people are listening.