09/28/2022
So it’s Tuesday which means I go to the Hoag Cardiology Gym for exercise. I climb on an exercise bike and start my 20-minute routine to pump the pounds off my ancient beer belly.
After about 5 minutes this very tall and skinny stranger wearing a UCLA Athletics t-shirt and sweat pants, comes over and starts adjusting the bike next to me. It took a while because not many devices can accommodate the stranger’s 7’2” frame. Finally, he settles in and starts his slow but deliberate routine while I’m peddling at a fast pace thanks to the beginner’s settings on my exercise device.
Seeing that my exercise mate was settled in and proceeding with his exercise, I quietly greeted him with “Hi Kareem” and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time responded with a similar soft-spoken and kind “Hello”.
We both continued with our exercise without further interruption. Just a moment, although memorable moment, in my long life.
