Because aquafit is often recommended to older folks (it's gentle on the joints) especially those recovering from a surgery (low or no impact) and the two classes I get to go to are during the work day (I just happen to not be working those two days), there are a lot of older people in the classes I go to.
I am hesitant to say what I'm about to say but it had a huge impact on me, so I'm trying to share it while being delicate and kind. I mean nothing cruel here.... but can't think of any other way to describe things....
There was an older woman I'd not seen before and she looked very not well. Her face was sunken in that way you sometimes see with older folks who have lost a lot of weight and aren't perhaps doing well.
I was concerned for her, but also proud of her for being there and exercising. But I also felt sad and a little upset. It was hard to see. Her face was the facial equivalent of skin and bones.
At the end of class, someone was swimming by her to leave and stopped for a moment to say something to her and as I watched, this lady's face lit up in a smile and it was absolutely transformational.
She was suddenly alive. Lively, living, sparkling, full of life. What a difference seeing that smile and happiness on her face made to her entire face and self.
I don't know her situation, or her health or anything about her of course. But it was a night and day difference when she smiled and that had a huge impact on me. I'm not sure in what way - like I'm not going to start smiling all the time to look "better" but it was moving, and touching and honestly rather sad.
It also made me reconsider the "extra weight" I'm carrying as perhaps less of a negative than I've maybe held it.
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