I recently started working out at a nearby health club. This place opened up about 7 months ago about 5 blocks from my place and I had been driving by it thinking to myself "I need to join...I need to join...etc"
So, I did. I've been going there for a few weeks now in the mornings and there's this older couple (in their 70's) that are always already there when I get there. When I went to work out monday morning....they weren't there. I panicked. I've come to enjoy seeing them. I've never actually spoken to either of them, but it's like they're family. Yeah, don't get me started on how strange THAT seems.
Tuesday arrived...and still they weren't there. I was really wondering now. so I went to work out on Wednesday morning..and they were there! YAY. She was riding the stationary bike(her usual) and he was on the treadmill already(he usually works out with the weightlifters and then does the treadmill to finish off). I walked by him and he smiled at me as I took my place on one of the treadmills down from him. I did my 2 miles....and smiled to myself about how healthy they looked and how stupid I was for worrying after their welfare.
He finished his workout and was standing there talking to a fellow gym goer when she walked out of the machine area looking for him. I watched her eyes search the room for him....and I saw her smile and light up when she spotted him and she walked over to him. I watched them...and it struck me that they were like that 'other'old couple that I saw a couple years ago. The ones I saw at the post office right after bachelor #2 and I separated. It's funny how I can spot real, true love now. It shines like a beacon, sparkles like a diamond, it made her glow as she walked across that gym floor. He lit up when he saw her walking toward him. I witnessed it all.
How many times do we not even notice the love all around us? How many times do we ignore it when it finds us? I watched them, and again it struck me that it might be something I'll never actually have, and I felt a few tears as they fell on my skin...and I pretended it was sweat and I pretended I wasn't crying. Then I thought about how far I'd come in a couple years...the goals I have achieved(got my motorcycle certification this past week, working on getting my physical self together now, was there with my mom when she needed me the most) and I realized that even if I don't find THAT kind of love....I am rich in so many other ways. Rich in close friendships and the love of my children and family. I smiled then.
yup, I'm just fine. :)
