The Angel Who Blessed Me Twice
Swim Angel Page
Your Talent Shines for Miles Around
Swim Angel Eight and Swim Angel Seven are the same person
It's funny how sometimes you just meet the person you really wanted to meet
Page was not a romantic interest though I'd have loved to see her in her hay day
Like angel five, she was around twenty years older than me - not a problem
So we were in completely different generations of respective humanity
How did I meet Page - okay this is a very easy question
I was in my new-at-the-time gym working out in Palo Alto, California
I thought I would be there much longer but it turns out my father passed away
It was lucky that I met her just then - she helped provide me a type of sanity that I needed
When I first was new there, some older patrons were being impressed by my swim skills
One day however, I saw someone - an older woman who was swimming as fast as me
After doing more than a few laps
Seeing that her swimming speed was not flagging at all
I conspicuously decided that I not want but need to speak with her
It just seemed like something that I had to do
After seeing her a few times, at the same swim-time of week
There was one day we were both exiting the pool at the same time
It was a moment-of-opportunity if you will, just a lucky chance to speak once
I believe I said something like, "what is up with those swim skills?"
She understood my intentional conversational entry point like a master
The way she nurtured our chat from that point was the stuff dreams are made of
Like me, Page has many accolades pinned to herself all over her life
Not that she flaunts them at all - it's not even like that
She's just - so talented - it just oozes out of her
Unlike me she's been financially successful
However that's not part of our story at all
I believe she responded by demurely stating
"Oh, yeah, well, I.. did.. have an Olympic coach"
There were so many times my jaw hit the floor
As with swim angel five "Aces" I'm tempted to go on and on
The most important part of it is that I was thoroughly impressed
What's even more hilarious is that we became tennis buddies that day
Who on Earth in this modern day
Would just meet someone new in the pool
Then invite that person over to their own house but that is what happened
I didn't just go to Page's house once
After chatting we agreed it would be better
If it could be a standing weekly appointment!
It's nothing if not sheer delight - when you meet someone who is thinking the same thing
Meet my new tennis partner - swimmer extraordinaire - electrical engineer - Guru
This was the lucky swim angel number seven - what a blessed friend
So how was she also swim angel number eight?
The answer is that she became that person
Who I met with on a weekly basis
We had a standing appointment
I really need that, that year
As stated earlier, I lost my father that winter
He passed away one night in his sleep
It was both surprising and expected
When you swim near someone, or play tennis together on a weekly schedule
It's true that the both of you are there for the express purpose of that activity
But for something like that to stick - you'd have to actually like the person
Page and I didn't agree on everything there is - but I never stopped appreciating her
I'm a pretty insightful person in my own way but her experience was worlds beyond me
Just when you think you've got everything, something else comes in at the eleventh hour
She's been saying her health is faltering and my prayers are with her
One of my favorite things about her - she has an athletic warrior spirit
Had she been a linebacker on a football team I'd see her no differently
Everything about her said, "I'll not give you an inch that you haven't earned"
What a true joy she brought into my life and in such an unexpected way
This book could not have been completed without mentioning her
Before leaving Palo Alto I made sure to get her autograph
The woman has sheer talent dripping from her aura
It's in everything she says, thinks and does
She's from another time and place
As tempting as it is to share out so much of her experience
In time I've come to realize those things
Are just for us to remember
That became our story
She's the only friend I made that entire winter
I saw her twice weekly and looked forward to our meets
It all started by talent recognizing talent - then an ice breaking chat
As with the other angels who have all touched me spiritually
I remain in profound gratitude - over what was shared with me
All my swim angels have been generous - gracious - endearing
When it was time for me to leave that area at the end of winter
I couldn't bring myself to formally tell her I was leaving
So I started hinting around that I would be leaving
As with the rest she was a finely polished person who understood all things
On the final day I could only produce a text, "I cannot say goodbye to you"
We did meet on one final occasion and with a sly smile she said to me
"Did you see my car out front?" and I didn't understand the question
With a light giggle she said, "I.. brought the yellow one"
Still not understanding the question she helped me
"Well in case you forgot that I crashed my own Porsche"
"For fun I decided to bring my husband's Porsche today"
"It just seemed like it would be a fun way to celebrate today"
The woman was full of surprises - Thank you for everything Page