Here's to a Fresh Start

This morning, as The Mr. and I were leaving the gym, we noticed a familiar face coming toward us down the sidewalk.

A familiar face who was walking with a pair of crutches.

A familiar face who -- much to my peace of mind -- we haven't seen at the gym for a couple of months.

As we got closer to him, my mind went into overdrive:

                        "Oh no!  It's "Nigel".  What should I do?" 

                        "Should I act like I didn't see him?"  

                        "Too late -- we've already made eye contact." 

                        "Should I keep talking to The Mr. and walk
                        right past without a word?"

                        "Should I mention anything about his crutches?"

                        "He's getting closer -- is he going to be mean?"

                        "He just raised his head to look me in the eyes."

And that's when I heard myself say "Hello!" in a cheerful, sing-songy voice!  And with a very surprised look on his face he said "Hello" back to me!

I was both pleased and surprised with my new-found benevolent attitude.  My kindness was short-lived, however, when I thought about "Nigel" in a cast and walking with crutches.  It was really hard to keep a couple of less-charitable thoughts out of my mind:

                        "Serves you right!"

                        "Did you get that injury from one of your 'gyms
                        around the world'?"

And then The Mr. -- who had been quiet up until this point, and having not heard any of the thoughts running through my mind -- made my day when he said,  

                        "He probably kicked a woman off an exercise
                        machine, and she kicked him back."

Okay, so I've got a long way to go before I can claim any moral high ground.  But in the meantime, maybe saying "Hi" to Nigel was a way to make a fresh start.

Although I doubt he'll be requesting me as a Facebook friend any time soon.

Dixie