THE SHAPE YOU'RE IN©
Except for the fact that it was my 40th birthday, this was just like
any other Tuesday for me. Get up, fix breakfast for the kids, help
Toby get his track gear ready, fix Mary a sack lunch, and then off to
the gym for a workout.
As usual, my husband Chuck was up and
gone early, grabbing coffee and a bagel on his way to work. "I wish
that man could get his mind off of work for just two minutes" I
muttered as I jogged on the treadmill. It would have been nice if he
had rolled over this morning and at least said "happy birthday" or,
even better, had made me breakfast in bed. That was a lot to wish for,
but it sure would have been nice.
As I picked up my pace on
the treadmill, I considered ways to get Chuck to join me at the gym.
The last gym Chuck had ever seen was the one in the jungle -- as in
jungle gym at his grade school playground. No matter how much I tell
him that I worry about him working so much and that he isn't taking
very good care of himself physically, he just ignores my pleas.
"Oh
well, enough of that" I told myself, looking around to see the usual
familiar faces. As I finished up with my run and stepped down, my
girlfriend Julie walked over and said, "Marge, I'm having trouble
getting this weight adjusted over here. Could you give me a hand for
just a second?"
I said I would and we both walked over to the
abdominal "cruncher". I have to admit that I was subconsciously aware
of a larger than normal group of people sort of milling around in the
area but it didn't really sink in since we were chatting about the new
aerobics instructor.
All of a sudden, a loud chorus of "Happy
Birthday" broke out. When I realized that everyone in the gym was
singing to me I just couldn't believe it. I hadn't told a soul it was
my birthday so who leaked it?
Then I got my answer. There
stood Chuck right in the middle of the group singing "Happy Birthday"
and I was even more shocked to see that he was wearing workout
clothes. Wow! What a wonderful birthday gift! He walked over and
gave me a big hug.
"Honey, I've finally decided to give in to
your coaxing to start working out with you. That's one of your
birthday presents. The other is in this box," he said as he held out
a box gift-wrapped in shiny gold paper.
Opening the box with
shaky hands I found a stunning watch inscribed with the words, "Time
together well spent . . . Love, Chuck". Two wonderful birthday gifts
made my 40th birthday an especially happy one.
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