It was not what I was expecting. When I sat down with a staff member at the Y to update my info it seemed like a simple process. But as we waited for the program to load, I made conversation. 

 

"Do you wish you were not at work on Labor Day?"

 

"I have three jobs," she smiled, so it did not come across as a complaint. 

 

"Three?? What are they?" 

 

"I work here, and at a prison, and I cater." I was astonished. She told me more about each one, and I was impressed by her work ethic. It turns out she raised five kids, and two are still at home. One has special needs. I was eager to hear about the last one, who landed a job as a tech for a vet. It turns out she is much more comfortable with cats and dogs than people. Mice are her favorite. 

 

"When she does have to interact with humans I remind her to focus on their pets, and her love for them."

 

When we were finished I thanked her and headed to the stationary bikes, where Ben was already pedaling. Mulling over the story I had just heard, I felt softened. Here was another mom, single to boot, who was caring for her daughter with both commitment and hope. Ben was at that moment perturbed because the metrics on the machine had confused him. Fortunately the noise of a bustling gym drowned out his rebukes for the screen. 

 

Half way through my routine a man in his seventies sat down beside me. He was more ambitious than me with my modest level of resistance. He opted for a program emulating hills. I mentioned this, and he took it as an invitation to chat. It turns out that he, too, works there and was cordial enough to answer some of my newbie questions. He mentioned that both my son and I would do better with the seat farther back, so our legs could fully extend. He was right. It helped. 

 

Listening to him talk about his long career for the city, and his position as a swimming instructor held my interest, making the effort to keep moving less arduous. As the details grew more interesting my RPMs increased, and the total mileage went up. 

 

When our workout was complete, Ben and I headed to the car. I still walk like a cowboy after a long ride on the prairie, but my heart was light. The privilege of listening to two people I may never meet again felt like the real gift of the morning.