Monday, November 2, 2009

connection at the pool


She came into the locker room with her big smile and a hello.We met a few days ago and I was glad to see her.

She has just celebrated her 93rd birthday and is quite proud of it.She swims about 30 minutes, a few times a week.I will call my new friend Mamie.She has thick white hair, a face that wouldn't be out of place on a 60 year old and we share the same "crepey"skin.

We chatted for a few minutes and then she headed for the pool.I was curious, so I peeked in a bit later to see if she was in the warm, "arthritic" pool, the 4 foot deep one.But,no, she was swimming in the lane that is marked 7'12".I swim in the 5 foot lane.There she was goggles,swim cap doing the crawl which I have yet to master.

I want to share with you what she said before she went swimming because you may never have the privilege of meeting Mamie:"I like to keep busy.If you sit on the sofa, that is all you will be able to do.I am active in my small church and I do work for Habitat for Humanity.(I immediately thought"paperwork").I believe that we are put here for a purpose and that is to help each other.It doesn't have to be a big thing, a smile will do nicely."

As I write this, I think that my assumption about the paperwork is probably faulty.I can see Mamie with a hammer and nails working on a window frame and I smile.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I read this, I wore a smile of enjoyment that people like Mamie are "out there", that I got to hear about her and to stand in agreement that truly "a smile will do nicely"!

georgia peach said...

Thank you,anon.I appreciate you taking the time to read about her.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Mamie... maybe the little things add up to big things. I don't know. I do know that if you show a willingness to do the little things, God will offer you the abilities and opportunities to to the big things.

georgia peach said...

Well said,Paul,and thank you for commenting.

Missy said...

What a woman. Are you planning the activities when we live in the huts?

georgia peach said...

yes, and after writing and Bible study we will swim in the warm surf off the French coast.Can you dig it?