I was at the Kroc Center today working out with my Mom. We were on neighboring treadmills and enjoying a conversation. Even as I recall it now, I can’t remember anything significant about the conversation. It was just our daily routine of exercise, sharing a chat to help time pass as we did intervals of walking and running.
There was a lady next to my Mom who kept glancing my way. I did not think much of it until she removed her earphone and appeared as if she wanted to offer something to our conversation.
I paused….
She said, “would you mind keeping your voice down?” and with that she put her earphone into her ear and looked straight ahead.
I have to say my initial responses were not so kind. I looked at my mom and said, (in maybe even a louder voice) “honestly, if were in Church it would be one thing, but we are at the gym. ” And then I added, “Mom, maybe you can show her how to turn her volume up on her show?” We conversed and smirked through the rest of our treadmill time and then headed over to the stair master.
As I was climbing the 720 step program I said to my Mom, “maybe she has a sensory disorder?” Then I glanced over and she was speaking with someone. I then began to conclude maybe it was a role play and her therapist was helping her to ask for what she needed. We laughed and I said it was evident these are my Social Worker thoughts. I was struck by my attempts to still make sense of this situation in my mind.
In the end, I realized that to give it any more brain space was a waste of time and energy, so I landed with a very simple reality. I have my father’s voice!
I am often told that I have my father’s voice as I project out to a room or audience and really don’t have a need for a microphone. I have my father’s voice and that is nothing I need to apologize for!
But honestly, I hope I don’t work out next to her at they gym again!
you have more strength than I do….I would have said something horrible to her….and then knocked her off the treadmill, lol.
I’m SUPER loud (seriously, ask Cara and Robin, lol) but my whole family is…and I love them. 🙂
This is hilarious! 🙂 I’ve seen you use your father’s voice for good so many times! So just celebrate that God gave you that resonance for a purpose!