When it comes to friends, I have an embarrassment of riches. They are beautiful, young, active, interesting, compassionate and fun. We had our monthly meeting on Saturday at the St. Clair winery/tasting room. It's always fun to catch up, because lives are so busy, and there is seldom time to stop the madness and just yak. I'm grateful that we all commit a couple of hours a month to just reconnecting.
It's always a little bittersweet for me, because I am the senior member--by a good 20 years. And in the course of catching up, I can't help but be reminded of the adventures of my 40s and the infirmities of my 60s. I'm not complaining, because I am blessed with good health. But I'm reminded daily of the things I am no longer able do.
Today, Blogger Moi regaled us with a beautiful story of strength and endurance that both inspired and depressed me. She actually runs up--that's right, up mountains. Reading her accounting of this monumental effort actually caused me shortness of breath! Wow. Said Mt. is over 10,000 feet.
So while I hobbled into my dog-walking-clod-hoppers (because that's literally what I have to do-- hop over clods of dirt, cactus, weeds, and critters) in order to take my two canines for their morning constitutional; I took a walk down memory lane to my 40s just to remind myself that I had once been much more active,alive and athletic.Yes, dear reader, there was a time when my favorite activity, was a 20 mile bike ride-before work or swimming a half-mile, six days a week. I enjoyed boating, golf, softball, canoeing, spelunking and camping (which I am currently rediscovering). I was never a competitive athlete, because... I'm not terribly competitive. Even playing softball, I tended to be the class clown. (Even though I could put some serious hurt on a softball.)
It's not just the creeping stiffness of joints, with a loss of muscle strength or even an acute- to-chronic back injury; something just shifted for me from outer-ness to inner-ness-- more observation and reflection than activity.
Truthfully, I miss the joy of physical achievements, but not enough to embark on the immense effort to attain them. I feel a little out of step with my compatriots, but I so enjoy their youth and enthusiasm. And feel blessed that they include me in their circle.
3 comments:
Wow, I never knew you were such a jock! And you know what they say, once a jock, always a jock. It's simply a matter of degree. And now you have the best "ropes" of all – your doggies.
We "youngsters," as you so kindly put it, are blessed and honored to have you as our friend as well – your wealth of experience and knowledge, and your embarking with such enthusiasm on a whole new chapter of your life, is an inspiration to all of us. Especially to moi, who hopes when I arrive at your age to be just as vibrant, thinking, and caring. Rock on, you jock girl, you.
I wanna meet these whippersnappers!As your elder I shall here submit that I find swimming to be a hugely important part of my life right now since I've been dealing with hip pain for a over a year. Last year I too was hiking up mountains, but suddenly I couldn't even make it to the crapper! The swimming really took up the aerobic slack. I'm walking better now, but you could probably out-walk me if that's any consolation! Still, maybe there's a pool in the thriving metropolis of Edgewood? That water aerobics you probably recommended to patients might be fun to try. I recommend it for older bones. But too bad the doggies couldn't join in!
I guess I must find my place on the spectrum as your BABY brother and also greatful for good health and great endurance ( recently tested by a move to a 3rd floor walk up by my baby girl-with no friends who would help)
" a great writer weaves fact and fiction to the readers delightful acceptance"
Jock gurl???
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