Smiles are Contagious

When I arrived at the crossroads of self-assessment, I felt

relieved as though I’d finished another fun aerobics class

or conclusion of one more session with my personal

trainer.

In retrospect I remember my gym days especially due to

the fact my combo instructor – personal trainer was a

loved family member, my youngest son.

Five to six days per week after classes I overheard an

enormous amount of positive chit-chat from women

in the locker room ’bout their favorite instructor.

‘Women of all ages love a handsome man with a good

physique.’

Hilarious to me was how the title role ‘Mom’ had been
given to another with graying hair, an assumption.

Although class participants knew Mom showed up on a

daily basis, they never inquired as to which older woman

was actually the instructor’s mother.

For months my son and I played out this ‘unknown truth’

scenario quite well and then the unexpected happened,

true revelation.

Some ladies were quite embarrassed due to descriptive

adjectives spoken betwixt them in conversations and

thought it necessary to apologize to me.

Smile! Smile!

Reflecting back my thoughts were:

1. I’m thrilled you ladies love my son.
2. Your hilarious comments weren’t offensive to me.

We all shared a good laugh!!

Twenty-four years ago he decided to follow his dream.

His move overseas left me filled with mixed emotions.

The past month when amid my exercises on self-love

I learned it was okay to feel both happy and sad about

his relocation.

Some decisions a parent has to often unwillingly accept.

For me acceptance changed to acceptance with gratitude.