I was kind yesterday.  Two times linger in my mind.

I followed a woman into the elevator that leads to my fitness club – Basic-Fit.  I noticed that she didn’t press the button to choose a floor.  We got talking.  Vicky is in Gent briefly from the UK.  She was hoping to get a one-day pass at Basic-Fit to stretch her sore body.

I told Vicky that my membership allows me to bring one guest a week for free.  She smiled at my offer.

I’d never brought a guest before but a staff member named Daphné showed us the process, which eventually resulted in a QR Code showing up on Vicky’s phone … and she was in!  A simple good deed but Vicky’s smile told me it was a big good deed.

Giving is such receiving.

On to the men’s change room …

I was in a sweet world of “Thank you” as I pulled on my t-shirt and shorts.  But then I noticed the guy on the floor, grimacing, pulling on his body.  I’ll call him Ahmed.  The face said agony.

“Are you all right?”  I couldn’t figure out the words in response but I got the message: dislocated shoulder.

“I’ll be right back.” 

I found Daphné and Maryna, one of the club’s trainers.  Soon all three of us were talking to Ahmed.  But action was needed.

I phoned 112 (Belgium’s version of 911).  The operator asked me questions about the fellow’s condition.  I relayed them.  “Can you feel your fingers?”  >  “Yes.”

Paramedics were on their way.  I sat with Ahmed as gym members came and went in the change room.  He accepted my offer of water.  I asked him to stay still.  Help would be here very soon.  Much of our time together was in silence.  I was with Ahmed deeply, quietly loving him, praying for a release from pain.

And now the paramedics – a woman and a man, also kind human beings.  Ahmed needed to go to hospital and the two helpers gently accompanied him to the elevator.

Then they were gone.  Daphné and I talked about what had just happened.  I started stretching on a mat.  Normal gym life returned.

***

I hope Vicky and Ahmed are enjoying life today