In from the Cold
In the very early morning of a cold, cold day, Tommy Smith walked into the gym all bundled. That was a big change from his normal dress of a t-shirt and athletic shorts.
“Wow! It’s cold out there,” Tommy said as he walked through the door from the anteroom. “This cold and dark makes it hard for me to get up and work out this early!”
The other eight eyes walking into the room glanced at him in agreement. It was clear that winter had arrived and everyone in the little gym was grateful to be able to come in from the cold. Even if it was for the purpose of sweating for an hour, or more. Talk of the weather was a great way to break the ice hampering conversation at 4:45 a.m. and the discussion of the impactful temperature continued between the athletic friends.
“We’ve set up a warming center at my church,” Tommy continued. “We’re in the process of getting volunteers to greet and serve those seeking shelter; coming in from the cold. Once we have enough volunteers we’ll assign shifts to make sure we have people there to help at all hours.”
“This would be the perfect shift for you to take,” one buddy in the room responded. “After all, this time is most difficult for many and it wouldn’t be even be noticeable to you. You’re here every morning with us already!”
“Right? Most volunteers won’t want the 4:00 a.m. shift,” Tommy agreed. “But, I’ll fill in where ever I’m needed. It’s cold out there!”
All of the heads in the gym were bobbing up and down, like little yellow, rubber duckies floating on an agitated pond. And, those same heads were bobbing up and down once again as the workout had finished and everyone in the room was layering on hats, gloves, pants, and coats as if decorating a layered birthday cake. Such decoration against the cold took a lot of preparation.
The cold stayed the entire day. It continued through the night and into the wee hours of the next morning, when all of the buddies hit the gym again. Well, that isn’t exactly accurate. One of the guys was absent. Tommy!
He wasn’t there when the guys came in from the cold again and began removing the thick frosting protecting them from extreme temperatures. Their heads were bobbing up and down again as one of them spoke up.
“Tommy’s missing because he’s likely helping others come in from the cold. He’s surely in his church’s warming center,” he said. “He’d never say anything, because helping others isn’t something he ever takes credit for.”
This time, there were mumbles of agreement confirming Tommy’s character and those mumbles broke the ice again because Randy said, “let’s get going! It ain’t going to happen by itself!”
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I’m Lynn Butterfield, Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert and Television Host for American Dream TV. I’ve helped hundreds of Buyers and Sellers, as an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker, to discover where and how they want to live and work; to achieve what I call Realesation™. That’s why I bring you American Dream TV, Both Sides of the Fence, About the Dish, Monday’s Warm Cocoa and Home by Design Magazine to stir your heart and mind. Contact me so I can join you along your own unique path of discovery.
