ROOM FULL OF NAKED OLD LADIES

If you haven’t spent time in a room full of naked old ladies, you don’t know what you’re missing.

The pool facility where I have physical therapy has a second pool that is used for the ‘Senior Wellness Program.’ The gals show up early to float around in the deep end and solve all the problems of the world in their swim caps and floaties.

Several times a week I get to share a locker room overrun with gray-haired, birthday suit-clad gals. Average age: 76.

It’s important to understand, I’m more of a slide-swimsuit-off-discreetly-under-towel kind of girl, but these ladies…oh no. They are come as you are, show it all off, and don’t care who sees it. My first time in this particular locker room I was having trouble deciding where to let my eyes land. I found the font used to create the “21” imprinted on my locker, and my peeling manicure quite mesmerizing that awkward day.

Now, I’m not a total prude, but the very nude, very lively conversation was rather shocking, at first. Every form and figure sitting around the locker room stripped down to nothing but wedding rings. They laugh and visit like they are having high tea in big fancy hats.

From that first morning, they pummeled me with questions. Personal questions. Lots of personal questions. All I wanted was to get enough clothes on to high tail it on out of there. It’s hard to maintain one’s dignity while half naked and warding off intrusive questions from strangers.

How old are you?
Are you married?
What do you think of her new face lift?
What size bra do you wear? (I kid you not)
And other such questions; some not entirely blog appropriate….

After the shock wore off and a few additional physical therapy appointments, I discovered these are some of the most fascinating, brave, marvelous women I’ve ever known. Quirky? Yes! Lacking boundaries? Yes! But, oh so amazing!!

They are nurses, psychologists, moms, veterans, and authors. Their stories are heartbreaking and heartwarming. They have a depth of wisdom and insight that makes me want to breathe it all in. They are brilliant and funny, thoughtful and kind.

They have lost children, lovers, figures and hair. And, they are some of the most beautiful beings I’ve ever known.

They seek to understand each other. They tell the truth and are vulnerable in their sharing. They include me as one of the crew, and ask about my life. I much prefer the chatting after everyone is dressed, but it’s less awkward now that they know my proclivity for the use of towels.

I would have missed such extraordinary beauty had I only seen the exterior.

I could have dismissed them and went about my physical therapy. I could have been too busy or self-absorbed to see the light in their souls. I could have been contemptuous and written them off for a myriad of prideful reasons. I could’ve forgotten how much I have left to learn in my life.

I’m so grateful they invited me to join their sweet world of wrinkles and laughter, and humbled by how many times before in my life I’ve overlooked this sort of blessing.

These squirrely gals remind me not to judge a book by its cover….or lack thereof.

Just a reminder to look around today. What beauty are you missing? It may be hidden just a little deeper. Go there!