In a recent email a friend asked me if I still liked working after four months. Instead of just replying with a quick “Yes! I love it!” I decided to give the question more merit. I thought about it as I worked double shifts this week. A co- worker told me I could give her some of those hours if I wanted to give any away. I replied that I would if I got sick, but I love the people so I wanted to work the hours.
My impromptu answer stuck in my brain. I love this job because I love to teach, but now thinking about it, I do love the people. Even when they come in with a problem I don’t mind it at all because I love to solve problems, but mostly they are just fun and so very interesting. We have a large group of bus drivers who joined through their company and are on “teams” tracking pounds lost, weight lifted, etc. and when they come in they light up my day. One gentleman in particular warms my heart. He’s 82 and reminds me of my father. We have a good time together going through his workout and I so wish my dad had a Koko nearby – he’d really enjoy this unique fitness concept. Another day a really nice man stopped and talked to me on his way out of the club. We talked about books, computers, and his job as a DJ in Provincetown. Yes, this is what I love. It was what I loved about the children in my classroom, too. Engaging them in conversations and listening to what fascinating individuals they are.
I always learn something from the people I interact with everyday. That nice man I mentioned also told me why he joined Koko Fit Club. He was at the doctor’s office for his check-up. She told him to stand up. He placed his hands on the arms of his chair and stood up. She told him to sit back down and stand up again without touching the chair. He couldn’t. It was a shock to him. He joined Koko right away to try to gain back all he had lost in terms of muscle and movement over the decades. That was almost two years ago and now he never uses the arms of a chair to stand up.
Another lady and I were joking about coming in to workout on such a cold morning. I said it was good thing they make this fun. She said it sure beats the alternative. Wow. Sobering. Day after day I have conversations with people about how their lives were changed through what we offer at our club that they couldn’t get at a regular gym. If it wasn’t for Koko, a lot of theses people I talk with would not be able to lead the active, happy lives they do.
Yes, I love my job. Yes, I love to teach. But it’s the people and what they bring in everyday to share with me that really enhances my life. They make me think. They offer a new perspective. They inspire me to keep up my own exercise and self-care. Every single person that crosses our path does so for a reason – leaving a tiny bit of themselves in their wake to make us laugh or smile or think a bit differently.
And so, as another day goes by, after four months I enjoy my job even more than when I started, thanks, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, for making me think a bit deeper, and… I have written.
This is my friend Melissa doing what I do everyday. We both love our job.
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