Today was not an outside running day (-10F), so I was forced to attempt a one hour run on the treadmill at the gym I have access to. I tend to grumble when things don’t go my way ( I really need to change that) and as I was lamenting my plight- stuck inside for a run like a big hamster on a wheel- a young woman entered the gym.

Most people who go the gym I go to are college age ( I am usually the “old man” in the gym), and I noticed that she was a very fit looking and had a focused and determined look on her face. She got aboard the ‘mill next to me and started running with a very relaxed, easy, and efficient stride. An athlete and runner, I thought. She certainly didn’t look like a novice. After about 20 minutes or so, I looked over at her and noticed she was missing her right arm. The prosthetic was pretty good. When she finished her run, as she was walking away, I noticed that the right side of her head had been recently shaved and the hair was just beginning to come back.

Later, as we passed each other in the weight room, she caught me glancing at her prosthetic arm (I wasn’t staring- honest!). Looking me in the eye, she smiled and said very matter-of-factly : “car accident”. then pointing at her head, “Brain surgery. Not that I needed it.” I laughed with her and couldn’t think of anything witty to say (why is that?).

For the better part of the next hour, she worked the weight room like any disciplined athlete would- working with what she had, never appearing frustrated about what she didn’t have. Her remaining arm would be a very strong arm soon, I thought. This was not a person who was feeling sorry for herself.

When God sends me an angel with message, I listen. The message is this: “Stop whining. Even a little bit. Work with what you have. Make it count. Life can turn on a dime. Don’t worry about what you have lost or never possessed.” And I will try to do that. After all, I am Still Vertical-  a pretty good start.