The Absent Uncle: A social butterfly finds his wings

As I have come to realize over the past couple of years, part of the good thing about the regular schedule of aqua fit classes is the social part. For sure, the exercise in the water is important for the ease on the old joints and muscles. 

But that social part has become a large part of the going in and getting wet four times a week.

You can read about the importance of social connections in the AARP magazine or other media outlets, but it is different when you feel it.  

Such is the case with me. When I first started to attend my classes at the gym’s pool, I found my “spot” in the pool a minute or two before the scheduled class start time, and then did my best to emulate the instructor’s expectations and quickly left after the class was over. Scarcely a word spoken to anyone in the facility.

I certainly wondered about my classmates. Who they were – how old – where they lived? But I didn’t ask. I kept coming to class, heading to my spot, and listening to their overheard conversations about their day to day. They’ve probably known each other for years. 

My wife describes me as “a social butterfly” and I totally disagree with her. I am the opposite – shy and pretty reserved – to my way of seeing things. Too much business training in keeping things private and sharing very little of the personal side. Cordial and correct. 

But getting back to the class, somewhere along the way, a question would be thrown my way. Maybe about the weather, or the gym administration, or maybe a “how are you doing”?   

Long story short – we have hosted class brunch get togethers now at our house on two occasions and have been asked when is the next one. And they really enjoy the informal time at our house where we’ve gotten to know each other more fully. (So much for “they have known each other for years!”)   

All this monumental progress in a couple of years in getting a social network after moving to Texas and knowing no one with exception of our son and his wife. And going to an aqua fit class 

So, the darned, the AARP magazine was right – you do need a social part to your life (whether you know it or not) and if you aren’t that social butterfly that just flits in and out, but you are the kind of guy that shows up every day to get some needed exercise – good things will happen – just be open to it.