A Slice of Life

I find it rather interesting how, in different areas of our lives, we are associated with “slices” of various communities.

My husband and I walk a couple miles most days in our local mall.  There are varied groups of people represented in those we meet while walking.  There are a few people who walk that I actually know from outside the mall.  When we pass them, we often stop and chat for a couple minutes. 

Then, there are people like, “the guy who had a stroke.” We don’t know his name.  Like us, he has been a “mall walker” for quite some time.  The first few times we saw him he walked very slowly, with some difficulty, and he didn’t respond when we wished him a good morning.  From his gait and appearance, we guessed that he had a stroke.  After a while, he nodded his head in acknowledgement of our greeting.  More recently, he is walking more briskly and actually says, “Good morning” and smiles.  Walking has been really good for him.

Several months ago, we sometimes stopped and spoke a few minutes with a couple, Doug and Karen, around our age. After a few months, we noticed that Doug frequently stopped and rested on one of the couches. He complained about it being difficult to walk and that he had gone to the doctor for some tests. As the weeks went by, Doug’s wife was at the mall, but he was not.  She said he had become quite ill.  We learned last week that Doug had Lou Gehrig's disease and had passed away.

There are a few young women, one who pushes a stroller with her child.  The young people walk quickly, with great energy. We are in a military community, so we often see older gentlemen, who we believe are retired military because their stance and haircuts.   There are far more women walking the mall than men, some slim, trim and healthy looking, others not so much.

I belong to an organization that represents different areas of the community as well. About half are “mature” women, quite a few retired teachers, a few older gentlemen, and several younger women who work various jobs (mostly on our military base), some with young children.

Members of my Xpress Healthcare team also represent an array of different ages, experience and backgrounds.  Many work full-time jobs and work their Xpress business part-time.  We have several stay-at-home moms, a minister, retired police officers, senior citizens – both male and female, health insurance agents and sales people.

I think it is interesting that such a varied group of people - in the mall, in my club and on my Xpress team – have one or two things in particular in common, while nearly everything else in their lives is totally disconnected from one another.  Just sayin’…

To be part of my team, or for more info about Xpress Healthcare, please visit my website.