It is my belief that if we are living the life we’re meant to live, caring for ourselves so others don’t have to, nurturing our God-given spirit, we receive gifts from the universe. And so came my gift of yesterday.

I was taking my power walk in the neighborhood when around the corner came this tiny, elderly woman shuffling along with the aid of a cane. Her face broke into a full smile as we made eye contact. I’ve seen her walking before but wasn’t sure where she lived or who she was, so I stopped and inquired. She treated me to a quick history. Having grown up just one street over, her father had moved the family to a farm and she eventually bought the little house in which she now lives. She explained, “farm life is okay if that’s you, but it’s not for me, so I bought this little house up here and I’ve lived there ever since.” She continued proudly, “I’m eighty-seven and a half years old tomorrow.” She was just plain cute, dressed ever so tidy, maybe weighing in at 85 pounds, wore pink lipstick, and had perfectly coiffed beauty shop hair.

I told her where I lived and that I was a teacher but not working this semester. She lit up. “Are you an IU grad?”

She announced with pride that she held a doctorate in education from Indiana University and continued, “I was an assistant principal when women weren’t principals.” We enjoyed quite the chat and I offered to walk with her the rest of the way. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’m almost home.” I marveled at this frail, but spunky lady and loving our conversation, asked permission to drop by and see her some time. “I’d love it,” she said, “but call me first. I’m in the book.” And off she went.

I vowed to make Mrs. B my new friend.