lat pull down commitments, 6.19.23

i went to the gym around 2:15pm today. i had the day off because of juneteenth. i noticed the gym was way busier than what i had expected it to be for an afternoon on a monday. i was waiting (which i never do) for the lat pulldown. it was an older man using it. he noticed me waiting, turned around, and asked if i was waiting on him. i told him i was, but i was in no rush and for him to take his time. he says he has 1 set left. he then goes on to mention how it’s so busy, especially for a monday afternoon. i agreed, then he brought up how most people probably have the day off for juneteenth. to be honest, it was a lot of younger people at the gym, too. he said he lives in reading, but comes here because it’s much more lowkey. the one in reading is much bigger and much more crowded. he says with the one here, he can see the whole gym from about anywhere in the gym. it helps because his wife has dementia, so he can keep his eye on her. i asked if she was here today and he said she wasn’t. they hire an assistant to help with her so he can get out the house some days and spend time on his own. though i have no idea how it is to love someone with dementia, no doubt it is hard and despite how difficult it could be at times and how much resentment could build up over time, i noticed when he spoke of his wife he never stopped smiling. he went back to finish his set and even asked me if i would like it to be wiped down. i declined and told him to have a good workout. i love speaking with older folks because they are always so kind and down to earth. he was kind enough to share that tidbit of his life with me and it resonated with a few things in my spirit currently. commitment is a beautiful thing and when you say your vows or even give someone your word, it should mean something. even on the bad days. even on the worst of days.

word really is bond and i wish more people understood that. 

-ratha, 6:15pm, 6.19.23