WWRD…What Would Regina Do?

     If you asked me for my idea of a perfect gift, I’d say time. Time with an old friend is priceless. I met Regina over twenty- five- years ago. She taught me how to do a foot massage. I belonged to a women’s group and she was asked to teach us relaxation methods. As a massage therapist, she worked on pressure points all over the body. So when someone asks how we met I tell them, “She taught me how to rub my feet.” She laughs and agrees.

She actually taught me much more than that over the years as friends. Regina feels very centered to me however, she will tell you she is scattered. We are both in our early sixties. I finally had someone in the same stage of confusion to discuss life. We couldn’t remember a damn thing between us. Twenty minutes later, one of us would belt out the mystery answer, like they do in the nursing home.

When it comes to healthy eating, I lose…not weight, just the score. I love my carbs, while she is gluten free and eats thing like Chia seeds in a Keefer pudding for breakfast. Her idea of a snack is applesauce with ricotta, while mine is tortilla chips. She takes power walks, while I power nap. She carries water with her and drinks it all day long. I tried to remember to hydrate every time she went to the bathroom.

Regina can sit with her legs in a yoga pose and not wince or scream out loud. Guess who can’t. One of us is very limber and her name starts with an R. Both of us can consume a bag of tropical trail mix in two days without remorse. We decided it should be considered….What’s that word? Oh yes, fruit! I think we’re growing into loving ourselves, just like the article in Oprah’s magazine. Not once did we scold each other when we fought over who ate the most mango pieces. (I did, but don’t tell her.)

When we sat watching a blazing sunset on St Pete Beach, she was cold; I had a hot flash. She has no wrinkles on her face. She says they’re well hidden, but I know the truth. She has some eternal youth drops in that lemon she puts in her water. It not only gets rid of wrinkles, it increases her charm. She is very charming, as well as funny.

 

 

 

 

We have a tradition for our birthday celebrations. We shop at a consignment store for ridiculous outfits, hats, jewelry and sunglasses. We wear our new-to-us fabulous outfits to a nice restaurant and act normal. We might laugh too much. People at the next table often ask if they can join us. One year Regina’s bonnet had the tag still on it dangling over her forehead like…what’s her name, Minnie? On that TV show…What was it? I think it was Hee Haw maybe? It will come to me tomorrow.

This visit was only six days. That’s not enough time to finish our early morning chats over coffee with only fairy lights enhancing our beauty. It’s not enough time to sit and just be with each other again. It’s certainly not enough time to talk about our kids and grand kids. It’s not enough time to talk about how much she misses her sweet husband who passed away. It’s just not enough time.

So when Regina left I decided I need to channel some of her qualities to center myself.

“What would Regina do?” I asked the heavens. The answers came quickly:

She would take a walk and talk to God.

She would keep things simple.

She would eat healthy and share her mango tropical fruit with me. (That might be me talking.)

She would be aware of her own limits and say no when needed.

She would count her blessings every morning in the first light of the day.

She would stretch, not only her body, but her true self daily in life.

She would pray and ask God to guide her every day.

I hope God guides her back to my house real soon!