I consider driving a competitive sport, using the left lane for passing, always trying to improve my position in the “race”… getting there as fast as I can.

It took three days to notice that I was doing it here… passing others on the left as I raced to my next interview or outing. This morning as I waited for the elevator a new friend, Mildred, came up to stand beside me with her walker. We chatted on the way down to the first floor, both heading toward lunch.

As I was about to say goodbye and shift into third gear, she asked me a question. I don’t remember what she asked, but I stopped and paused and thought that we could chat as we walked.

It is incredible the stress that can build up when you are walking slower than you are used to… I was anxious and awkward… I felt that everyone was looking at me and wondering what I was doing. I was wrong… it was all inside me… I took a mental deep breath and decided to enjoy the walk and discussion.

I never would have believed how much you can see when going so slow. Mildred was delightful and didn’t even notice as I fell into her pace.

I had been on my way to have a quick lunch so that I could do a survey of the campus facilities in the afternoon, but my walk with Mildred changed my plans… I ended up spending three hours at lunch… I slowly went from table to table and chatted with others, then sat in the lobby for another hour and chatted some more… I was the last to leave.

I’m sitting here now just taking in the fact that speed may not be all it’s cracked up to be, and being thankful that there’s no passing lane here…