Great post. What struck me, was this quote: "Fitness and healthy eating do NOT prevent all of life’s vicissitudes. They do NOT guarantee you a perfect life." Truth. I was fit and ate healthy when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30s. My body's betrayal was a shock to me. I am one of the lucky ones who lived and is aging. I realize how so many people don't have that privilege.
I love how you frame that as a privilege. It is indeed. That flies in the face of "just do this and you will never get sick" or old for that matter. That's brutally simplistic and frankly, unkind. We all get dealt a rough hand. It's how we deal with it back that matters.
Yes, a thing of beauty, indeed. I too am attracted to hand crafted items, especially furniture…I have two custom made tiger maple pieces and two, Birds Eye maple bunching tables!
I too have seen some gorgeous hand-crafted wooden canoes in my time — they really are works of art. Changing gears: I so appreciate how you often remind your readers that life can sideline you for a time — as with you and your multiple surgeries and recovery period — but that doesn't mean you have to give up and wait to wither away. No guarantees . . . but human resilience, at any age, is an amazing thing.
Thanks Jan. There's a meme from Upsplash that shows an arrow going up and up and up, as though life didn't deliver body blows. I can appreciate the desire for that to be true, but no superhero or super mom or super dad got that way the easy route.
This was a very inspiring piece. You and Kirk both are making me want to do more. I'm still a relatively young 40 years old (although I'm not in great shape and I feel much older) and you are both great reminders that there is not good time to give up but instead there is always a good time to get started!
Great post. What struck me, was this quote: "Fitness and healthy eating do NOT prevent all of life’s vicissitudes. They do NOT guarantee you a perfect life." Truth. I was fit and ate healthy when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30s. My body's betrayal was a shock to me. I am one of the lucky ones who lived and is aging. I realize how so many people don't have that privilege.
I love how you frame that as a privilege. It is indeed. That flies in the face of "just do this and you will never get sick" or old for that matter. That's brutally simplistic and frankly, unkind. We all get dealt a rough hand. It's how we deal with it back that matters.
Yes, a thing of beauty, indeed. I too am attracted to hand crafted items, especially furniture…I have two custom made tiger maple pieces and two, Birds Eye maple bunching tables!
I sold too many gorgeous things the summer of '22. Now I get to start all over again...
I too have seen some gorgeous hand-crafted wooden canoes in my time — they really are works of art. Changing gears: I so appreciate how you often remind your readers that life can sideline you for a time — as with you and your multiple surgeries and recovery period — but that doesn't mean you have to give up and wait to wither away. No guarantees . . . but human resilience, at any age, is an amazing thing.
Thanks Jan. There's a meme from Upsplash that shows an arrow going up and up and up, as though life didn't deliver body blows. I can appreciate the desire for that to be true, but no superhero or super mom or super dad got that way the easy route.
100%
Nobody who has lived long enough thinks it's all an upward trajectory. Life wouldn't be possible otherwise.
which is why those memes tend to come from Gen Z. Wait a while....
This was a very inspiring piece. You and Kirk both are making me want to do more. I'm still a relatively young 40 years old (although I'm not in great shape and I feel much older) and you are both great reminders that there is not good time to give up but instead there is always a good time to get started!
Now is always a good time to get started! Thank you!