Hero

I have to write about my hero, N. N does water aerobics every day after I swim.  I first noticed her because she was in such bad shape.  Takes one to know one, you know!  She uses a tri-prong cane and some days is almost bent double.  Usually it takes someone's arm, as well as her cane to get inside. On certain days, she has to have help getting into her swimsuit.  But get this, folks, N is ALWAYS there!  She does not miss, unless her pain is just off the charts.  I get bored at times swimming, or the water is cool, or the weather is too hot, lots of excuses.  But N is my guiding light.  I know if she can make it, so can I.  There are no excuses!  So I roll out of bed, put on my swimsuit and get my sorry butt to the Y.  Sure enough, I do feel better when I am done and there is N, right on schedule for her pool time.The other important role that N fills forme is she is an arthritis buddy, a person that suffers, and calls me to be honest.  One cold day last winter, she asked me, Sandy, how are you doing?  Oh, I'm fine, I called out.  Same answer I always give.  She stuck her head around the corner of the shower and looked at me, You are a liar!  Yes, I was lying, without thinking.  It is such a blessing to have someone that I can say, Hey, I'm not doing too well today.  How are you doing?  We share info about when storm fronts are coming in and what our nights were like.N is my hero.  She not only has our disease, she is fighting it every step of the way and most days, winning.  She is an example for everyone!