I was going to have just enough time close to a 20 minute workout when I passed through the guard gate showing my badge to the security person there in order to proceed to the fitness facility, but one car had just passed through ahead of me. The driveway is about a half of a mile long and was under construction that whole week. There were cones placed throughout the entire length and we had to weave left side and right side all of the way, going over the rough parts still being dug out. The person in front of me slowed at the first one and swerved around, but her speed got slower. I tucked in behind and looked down. We were going 9mph, and after the second swerve we were going 6mph. Yes 6mph!! My car idled faster, so I was pumping the brakes.

People, do you know how shock absorbers work? The forward momentum of a car keep it level, while the tire drops down into a hole and back up again leaving you inside your car to ride smoothly over it. We were so slow, the shocks did nothing and we bounced down into each, then back up the other side! I felt that I needed some heavy base beat and some percussion to accompany our bouncing! I lost 6 minutes of my 20 in this bouncing car parade. With the time left is this really a workout?

Michael was a security guard that I got to know. Since he saw my name on the badge that I had to show him, I quickly asked his when I saw him for the third time in a week. For months we had fun chats before I went through. One Friday afternoon, Michael did not have his usual infectious smile as I entered. After I asked what was going on, he explained that his boss was all over him. Now today he was not supposed to work but got called in that morning to stay until 10pm that night, then work his usual shift on Saturday at 8am. He said he did not have time to get money and go to the store before coming there, so with no food in the house he had no dinner, and would not have time to get anything for breakfast either. He was not sure how he was going to make it. As I pulled away my workout plans changed.

Once I parked in the garage, I walked up to the fitness room to get my swipe, then walked out the back door as we were allowed to walk the campus for our workout. Instead I walked the 3/4 mile to the grocery store. I got some sandwiches, drinks, and snacks, then walked back to the back door of the fitness center. A little over 30 minutes of walking and my workout time was complete. I left down the driveway and as I approached the guard gate I slowed to stop there, but Michael was on the phone. He turned to wave to me, but I signaled him to come get this bag from me. Keeping his ear to the phone he reached for it and whispered it was his boss. Handing him the bag I pulled away waving.

It was almost a week before I saw Michael again, and he was beaming ear to ear when he saw me. The smile hardly seemed to fit on his face. He told me that after he opened it and found the food along with a little extra cash, he cried that day and the next when he brought it again. I only saw Michael a few more times as they moved him to another facility, then closed that guard gate soon after. I did not need the thank you, but it is a completely unforgettable one, possibly my favorite ever.

Do something special for someone on this Happy Friday, or any other day. You are the one who gains more, just as I did.

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