All kinds of people visit our gym in this community. Some are very friendly and we kid around and harass each other. And there are those who are shy and distant, rarely making eye contact. But I feel connected to them, too, since we are all older people on a mission to stay healthy.

One couple, in particular, goes to the gym to put in their exercise time and I’ve not seen them speak to anyone else. The fellow is very tall and thin, with a Colonel Sanders beard and mustache. His wife is much shorter, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. I’d never spoken to either, and if I caught their eyes and smiled, they would respond with a tolerant smile in return.

Now we are all banned from the gym due to the virus. Several of us are walking instead, or walking over and above our usual time. In the last few months, I’ve passed Colonel Sanders on my walk, and we exchange “good mornings” with an amused smile, as if to say, yeah, we don’t talk but we’re out here workin’ it, aren’t we?

Well, this morning I saw the Colonel walking with his wife. (Actually, I saw them both yesterday and at my greeting, they made eye contact and marched on.) This morning the sun was out and the cardinals were in full voice. As I approached the couple walking toward me, they started to move to the side, even though this section has a very wide walk that will accommodate golf carts. As they approached, I called out, “It’s okay, there’s room for all of us!”

Suddenly, their smiles burst forth in return. Somehow, those words, that acknowledgment of them in these dreary times, let the sun shine through on the three of us. The song, “Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella” came to mind, and coupled with their momentary delight, I’ve decided to brighten your day, too.

After all, there’s room for all of us!

Once I met a happy little bluebird
I was just as blue as I could be
In a little while I began to smile
When he sang this merry song to me

Just let a smile be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy day
And if your sweetie cries just tell her
That a smile will always pay

Whenever skies are gray don’t worry or fret
A smile will bring us sunshine and you’ll never get wet
So let a smile be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy day

Let a smile be your umbrella
On a rainy, rainy day
And if your sweetie cries just tell her
That a smile will always pay

Whenever skies are gray don’t worry or fret
A smile will bring us sunshine and you’ll never get wet
So let a smile be your umbrella
Be your big umbrella on a rainy, rainy day