Last year I suffered from terrible sciatica…perhaps caused by my lack of exercising (?). In any case, I promised myself, “never again”! I was determined to work on becoming fitter. I began with muscle training. I attend fitness classes almost everyday. A class called “Strength and Core” is held on Monday mornings at the Powell River Rec Centre. There are many fitness classes offered there, but I find this class most effective for me.

Of course, there are many other like-minded people who also come to this class. Although demanding and exhausting, the class is very popular. In order to secure a favorite spot, people typically arrive 30 minutes before the class, go straight to the spot and spread their mat. It’s funny…some people like to be close to the instructor; some want to be closer to the wall, some want to have the best view of themselves in the mirror…etc. I like to be in the front row, close to the mirror, and close to the instructor.😆 I’m also one of those people who arrive early before the class, and spread my mat at the right spot. I love to be perfectly prepared.

And, one day….the class was just starting….music came on….bodies began to move….. just at that moment, a tall guy with fuzzy hair arrived to the class. He was perhaps in his 50s, perhaps with some kind of mental/cognitive challenge. He walked right into the class, and walked straight toward where I was. He said to me, “you are in my spot.” Apparently, he usually comes on Tuesdays, and the instructor is reserving this spot for him. I almost said “No, this is my spot!”, but I didn’t. Instead, I just nodded, moved my mat, and let him take my spot. I thought, since he might have some kind of disability, I better let him do whatever he needed. Later on, some of my classmates said to me, “You didn’t have to give him your spot”. Of course I didn’t have to, but I felt I did the right thing.

A few days later, I ran into this guy on the road. I said “Hi!” with my usual smile. His face was motionless. He looked rather nervous and murmured something to me. “What?” I couldn’t hear him. He said, “do you want to go to the Chinese restaurant in the mall nearby?” I was surprised, not expecting such an invitation. What should I say to him? My mouth stumbled….“Uuuum… I have to go home right away.” He nodded and kept on walking. I felt sorry and walked away, but kept on thinking, “did I do the right thing?”

Was I mean? The guy perhaps has no friend….he might have thought I could become his friend. It might have required so much courage for him to talk to me. And no doubt, he thought he was rejected…actually that was true…I did reject him. I’m sorry. When I put myself in his shoes I could really feel his pain.…

昨年、坐骨神経痛なるものにかかって大変苦しい思いをした私。2度と同じ苦しみを味わいたくないと筋肉をつけるトレーニングを始めた。パウエルリバーの市が経営するフィットネスのクラス、いろいろある中で私は月曜日の朝のStrength and Coreというクラスが特に気に入って毎週行くようにしている。

このクラスは他のクラスに比べてハードできついせいか、人気があって、それなりにフィットをめざす人たちですぐ定員いっぱいになる。だからみんな３０分くらい前にはクラスに入って自分のマットを広げる場所を確保する。前方の先生のそばがいい人、後方の壁のそばがいい人、鏡の前がいい人

それぞれいろいろ。私は一番前で、先生の近くで、鏡の見える場所が気に入っていて、皆と同じく３０分以上前に行ってマットを広げて始まりを待つ。準備オーケー。

音楽が鳴り始めて、身体が動き始めて、さあクラスがスタートというそのときに…アルという軽い知能障害(?)のある男性がクラスに入ってきた。まっすぐ私に向かってに歩いて来て、「そこ、僕の場所なんだけど…」といった。彼がいつも来る火曜日のクラスでは先生が彼のためにその場所をキープしているから、というのが理由らしい。私は、一瞬、『今日は火曜日じゃないよ』と思ったけど、異議を挟まず、頷いて場所をゆずった。知能障害があるかもしれない人だから黙って譲った方がいいと思ったのだ。あとで何人かの人に「譲らなくてもよかったのに〜」とか言われたけど、私は自分では仕方ないよね、と納得してた。

数日後、道でばったりアルと出会った。「ハーイ」と普通に挨拶を交わすと、無表情のアルはモコモコ口ごもって小さな声で何か言った。「え？」聞き返すと「近くのモールにある中華レストランに行かない？」と言う。あまりにも思いがけなくて何と答えたらいいのか分からなくて、しどろもどろに「うーん、すぐに家に帰らなきゃいけない用事があるから…」とことわった。でも、あとあと、これでよかったのかな、とずっと考えていた。

意地悪だったかもしれない。友達のいないアルが私なら友達になってくれるかもしれないと思って誘ってくれたんじゃないか。もしそうだったとしたら、ことわって、すごくかわいそうなことをしたんじゃないか…