HOLLIMAN

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the old mansions and the manicured gardens and the friendly dogs, Peter climbed the stairs every day, seven days a week.

If this wasn’t dumb, it certainly seemed a little crazy to me.

But the thing I didn’t count on is that Peter didn’t go down the stairs. That would be hard on his knees, he explained. He took the elevator down to the third floor and then climbed up those 17 stories. Then he did it again. And every time he took the elevator down, he had a conversation with a different person in our building.

He got to know the young working professionals and the retired folks.

He got to know the housekeeper who cleans up the public areas and the maintenance man. He got to know all the dogs who were going out for a walk and all the people who owned them.

And Peter became kind of famous.

He started carrying business cards with our name and picture on them and handed them out when he met new people. “You’re the wife of the guy who does the stairs!” strangers said to me.

So when there was a vacancy on the condo board, it should have come as no surprise that Peter was asked to fill it. Campaigning for a seat on the board was about the last thing Peter would ever do, but everyone on the board knew him by now, and he seemed like a smart choice.

Of course he was.

Now Peter spends a lot of time reading documents and attending meetings for his new duties as board member.

Eventually, after the weather warmed, he bought a bike, and he started riding around town. I have to believe this is more enjoyable. But if there is rain in the forecast, Peter doesn’t hesitate. He climbs the stairs. And when the weather is fine, I’m sure everyone in the elevator misses him.

Till next time, Carrie

Carrie Classon is a writer and performer and the author of “ I’ve Been Waiting All My Life to be Middle Aged” and a syndicated columnist.

Her memoir, “ Blue Yarn,” is available on Amazon and other retailers.

Learn more at CarrieClasson. com