Pedicures

On Sunday morning at 10:20, I decided to make a pedicure appointment. I made it for 11:00. I knew it was going to be tight with only 40 minutes to shower, get dressed and drive across town, but I did it, with 8 minutes to spare.  

Upon arrival I confirmed my appointment, then I grabbed the samples to decide what color of polish I wanted. For me, the process of picking out a color takes approximately 30 seconds. In those 30 seconds I managed to change my mind 4 times. The only stipulation is it is pinkish and has glitter. It is paddling season and pink is the way it is for me. 

As I waited another woman arrived and took 3 of the 4 sample rings. She was intense on what color she was going to put on her toes. Clearly, she was not going to pick her nail polish in 30 seconds. We were called at the same time to our chairs, and we sat side by side. And so, it began, a new hour-long friendship. Right from the start, I really liked her because she struggled as much as I did to get in the chair, get her feet in the water and manage her belongings all at the same time. Thankfully there are patient people to guide you in these situations. It was like we had never seen a pedicure chair in our lives. 

My new friend continued to struggle to make her color choice. We both agreed this was not a life-or-death decision, and whatever color she choose, it would be okay. She asked my advice on two colors of orange. I could barely see any difference, but clearly it was important what I thought. She admitted that she had never had orange polish but that upon arrival she knew she wanted mandarin orange. We agreed one color was more mandarin than the other. We sighed a sigh of relief when her choice was made, mandarin orange it was. By now, there were others needing the color rings, she realized that she was hoarding them and handed them off.  

My feet are done soaking, and my girl is there ready to proceed. I am not sure if everyone has to say this, but I certainly do. I told my little pedicure girl, "just so you know, I don't follow directions very well". I have had some major problems with putting up the wrong foot or putting them in the water when I wasn't supposed to. I was even told by a male technician, "stop doing that". Hence, the disclaimer at the start. The transferring of my foot from water to footrest went very well; she pointed to the foot she wanted. She gestured if she wanted them in the water or out. It was great. I did some clarifying in regard to one foot up or both feet, which I feel helped in so many ways. It was just a joy from start to finish. I told her I wanted all the amenities, and I got them. 

Although much younger than I am, "New Friend" understood that I needed a muted color because as I described to her, when you age, toes aren't very pretty. Why draw unnecessary attention to them with a bright color. She shared that champagne colors, like my pink champagne, is the "in" color. Who knew? My new friend was immersed in her book when I said, "I really like the color you have chosen". It was like she had received an electric shock as she bolted into a better position to see and nearly dropped her phone. I think she was in disbelief half her toes were painted, and the technician hadn't announced it. She felt that the color would look so much better with more tan. She said that she was just going to have to sit outside more and read her book. She described getting a tan much like a job needing to be done. I totally understood her reasoning. A girl has to do what a girl has to do.

I shared with her that I had made my appointment 40 minutes before it started. She said she had made her appointment the night before. She usually has pedicures with her mom, but her mom had to go into Winnipeg. Her mom wanted her to wait but she said she couldn't. Her polish was chipped, and it had to be done. Once again, I supported her decision. 

I left before she did, and we both thanked each other for the great visit. We were kindred spirits I think, meant to cross paths. We both like wearing dresses, it makes us feel like a girl again. We agreed if you get up and get dressed in clothes that you really like it makes such a difference in the day. It is true if you are wearing something that you feel good in, all is right in the world. 

I have always believed that people cross my path when they are meant to. By noon on a Sunday, not only did I have my toenails beautiful, but I felt happy inside. Some days we are unaware we need a total stranger to make us feel great. There are other days when we need to be that total stranger to make someone's day better. Either way it is a win-win start to the day.