Good morning! Feeling great?Us too.This weekend is shaping up really well.
I’d like to tell you about my week – I had a great one.It started last Saturday morning. We were carrying waters into the mall around 8:20 (getting ready to discuss the COVID-19 update) and “Jan” was firmly stationed in our cove.Dressed in hot pink, she’s a little sweaty and appears disgusted.I’m guessing she’s already gotten a couple laps in. Jan had re-introduced herself to me 3 weeks ago; her first time back to WWAD since ’09. She told us back in early February that she couldn’t take it anymore. She’s been exhausted and out of shape – for years.She’s been back to the walk each week since.”What’s up Jan?””You know, I told you I’m sick and tired of feeling like this” she shares with rushed speech. She wipes her brow with a balled up stack of Kleenex. She either has a benign essential tremor or she’s fired up.”You walk?” I asked her.”Yup.””Will you update the group this morning?” She had obliged in sharing her mission back on Feb 1st.”Sure”Before Jan spoke, we first all talked about this paper regarding cancer prevention. Here’s the article.”My friend Jan has some advice for us.””Jan” kept her seat in front of the 75 people gathered, most of who were standing, and she is upset.She used her outdoor voice..in the mall.”My niece is graduating on May 17th and I want to be in a good mood when that happens. I threw out all the crap in my kitchen and now I’m walking. I’ve lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks”Applause.There’s more, but it was more personal.She’s got 10 weeks until graduation. @2 pounds/week that’s 26 lbs and she’ll only be halfway through spring.
10 minutes later I’m walking past J.Jill with Michelle when Jan comes back to grab me.”This dude is not doing well. He wants to quit.” She’s reaches up and puts her arm around the new guy. Jan is upset.Said dude is in his early to mid 40’s, also carrying extra weight. He’s still walking but grabbing onto the wood rail as he’s shaking his head. I’d say in disgust, but he’s smiling under his Indians cap.”You new bud?””Yup”…catching his breath…”been wanting to come out for months…and finally did it.””What brings you out?”Still walking, but gathering his breath, he says “My 10 year old son.”At this moment, I love WWAD more than I ever have.Michelle and I walk with this gentleman. He hasn’t been to the doctor and doesn’t know if he has diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol issues. He’s a bright guy and fully aware that if he doesn’t have it now…I asked him what his plans are for this weekend.He’s doing stuff with his son.This guy’s walking around the mall, holding on to the rail at times, but moving at a good clip. His eyes are all over. He’s checking out dozens of others walking in front of us, behind us, and across from us. His breathing slows down as he falls into the pack.We’re just walking. Not talking too much. I’m enjoying the quiet and the company.He shares with another smile, “I just want to be able to yell at the Browns with my son. They’re horrible.”Others gradually come up and join us.I’ll spare you on the details of the rest of the week, honestly, this was all I needed. “Above all, try something” – FDR
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