Early Birds

Ever since we joined our local Y back in October, we've kicked off most days with an invigorating swim, a stretchy Yoga class, or a Nautilus gym workout. Today was the first time, though, that we were among the first dozen to not only walk through the facility's front doors, but to also be waiting in line before the front desk folks were even ready to scan us in.

As I gazed across our disheveled but cheerful gathering, I pondered possible motivations that dragged our fellow early risers to this place at 6:45 on a Sunday morning. Maybe some were early church-goers like us, or habitual dawn greeters, or perhaps hard core carpe diem practitioners. Regardless of our differing reasons, camaraderie was strong and chatter in the lobby animated this morning, ranging from commentaries on the frigid winds that blew us in, to the USC v. Michigan game this afternoon, to the day's headline-makers.

When a bleary-eyed staff member sidled up to the front desk from the back room, though, rubbing her eyes with one hand and palming a 2-liter tumbler of coffee in the other, conversations ceased abruptly. In the sudden silence, I imagined fingers being flexed and necks being cracked around me, as if we were lined up for a race.

Ready, set, go!