The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
Older and Wiser (and Eating Cake!)
The treadmills hum quietly and the pair of ladies speak loudly. Their grey hair bounces, they swing their elbows. When one says, “All right, here we go,” they turn up the speed just a pinch, and clasp onto the frame of the treadmill to stay upright. Moments later, one will call, “Okay! Okay!” Then Burgundy T-shirt and Teal Fleece dial back from snail-pace to iceberg-pace and resume their chit chat.
They watch the long mirrored wall before them, but not to look at themselves. Burgundy admits, “I don’t look in the mirror much these days. Makes me go ‘Yikes!’” Teal assures her, “Yep, but we never have to pass on dessert, do we?” They tread onward with a triumphant laugh.
Teal notices that people always turn to catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror as they walk by–young women who adjust their posture, muscular men who flex on the move. Every gym member who crosses the mirror is observed, and if their eyes seek their own reflection, our old girls giggle. “Let’s just quit this and get a glass of wine,” Burgundy thinks aloud. Teal has already pushed the stop button. They head out with joy and satisfaction at a job half-done. And make the panting passengers on the cardio equipment wistfully hope for their next birthday.
–Colorado.
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
Lovely! As I am now in my sixties, I can relate to this!
Awesome! Do you go for afternoon wine and cake? 🙂
It’s usually tea, these days… but yes, I do! 🙂
That’s the way to exercise: raise a glass of wine or two!
Agreed! I thought this only happened in the afternoons for seniors in Austria! Good to know I can stay close to hope and still sip that reward. 🙂
Fifty is looming and I’m not looking forward to it, but your last line gave me hope. Thanks!
Of course! Think of how freeing it is to be in each stage of life!
I think this helps me to appreciate where I am as I look forward to what is next.
interesting reflections again. Pieces of life in a place I have never visited, but can imagine!
I hope to serve as a guide you on your tour of the US–without the jet lag! 🙂
Ha, ha – nicely put!
Thank you! (Clicked a bit fast there…)
It made me smile, thanks!
Sure thing! This made me laugh too, but I wanted to hold it in so they’d keep talking! 🙂
I’m for a glass of wine over cardio any day…