Doris has been coming to my yoga class every Saturday at NYSC for awhile now. And she is an undeniable force of nature. She walks into class as if she’s going out on the town…always wearing that pink sequins hat (which I find out is her secret conversation starter), a tiny scarf around her neck, and red lipstick. I’ve always been curious about her; what her life is life; how she found yoga; what her dreams were/are. So yesterday after class, I asked her for coffee. She was thrilled…and so was I.

Right away I notice she is a one-woman show: hilarious, self-deprecating (she sees my tattoo, THERE IS TIME and says, I’m 85, my time is up!) and vulnerable all in one. She tells me about her past four relationships (they have all since passed); her marriage when she was very young and didn’t know herself; her lack of confidence and what a different person she is today. She is also full of compliments and questions back. When she asks me why I’m not married yet, she quickly assures, “Not that I believe in any of that shit!” I ask her what her dreams are today, she says, that I wake up in the morning! But truthfully, she watches “The View” and thinks she would make a great co-host. (Doris – I AM SO ON IT!!!) Before we leave, she gets serious. “I don’t want you to think I’m always like this…happy and upbeat because I have my bad days, and well, it’s hard sometimes. Isn’t it funny that even at my age, I still have insecurities.” I reply, “You don’t have to be or do anything… just your presence is enough.” She pauses, places her hand to my cheek and says, “You are a gift to me today.” Oh no, Doris…YOU are a gift to me