I have been writing about seasons for a number of years now: I described how they fade and fuse. I made allegories out of winter, spring, summer and fall.
And essentially they all have been articles about time and the shedding of leaves and sunrises and sunsets – much like we humans do in the passing of our years.
And then I thought on my health and the health of friends and how so many are still alive and reasonably well. And why? And for some why not? Since there are ways and means to improve the process of the health of mind, body and soul – here are a few of them I ascribe to.
In 2011 I fell and broke my hip and began rehabilitation. The positive note to this negative event is that my body had been preparing for this moment for years. Jogging enough miles to circumnavigate the globe had produced muscles that were better prepared for rehabilitation.
Even just walking around the blocks of my neighborhood – though a lesser degree of exercise would have provided the same advantage – because I had used those muscles, their weakness would not abuse me.
Good health is never guaranteed no matter how much good food you eat or how many good exercises you accomplish -- but NO exercise will certainly have its effect, and that effect is not good.
Nor is the chasing after good health a one-dimensional adventure. It includes not feeling shot because you got some: flu shots each winter, vaccinations against pneumonia and shingles, and a tetanus booster every 10 years. I always think, "I don't want to waste the time. The chances are nothing will happen even if I don't get the shots." I then call myself an idiot for having the thought and go get my shots.
Another warning. Don't fall for the idea that you can't fall. I have long been a good athlete and even at almost 82 was still well-balanced and strong. I fell down my daughter’s stairs anyway. I joined a group of almost half a million who last year found out the law of gravity hadn't been repealed. I needed to prime my caution gene and watch where I was going.
I now pay more attention to throw rugs improperly placed and remind myself that, yes, they can throw even me. I have my pills not only encased in a little seven-compartment pillbox that isolates them day by day, but I place the pill box on the kitchen bar where I will see it each mealtime. I call it the "stumble reminder." I stumble on it if I have forgotten – and that reminds me.
I also do an annual review to make sure I don't keep taking over the counter pills I may no longer need, or perhaps certainly fewer. I have friends and family who believe all medications are a part of a giant pharmaceutical conspiracy. That cholesterol counting is a waste of money and time, they don't feel bad and therefore couldn't possibly have high blood pressure (which is indeed possible) and that dental checkups do more for the dentist’s bank account than for your teeth.
Wrong conclusion. I put off having some X-ray work done and ended up with two fewer teeth.
Pounds? In England they're good. The wrong kind of pounds anywhere else are bad. I stay skinny. I miss my ice cream marathons but I don't miss the bad health that being overweight and diabetic would bring.
Did you wake up this morning with an overwhelming desire to have a colon examination? Of course not. Which is why you haven't had one and therefore have a better chance of having a doctor find a colon cancer. Procrastination in this case can be deadly.
There is prostate cancer as well and breast cancer and cervical cancer – and common sense. The latter can help to prevent the growth of the former.
Vitamins? The jury is still out on that one. I take them. I don't want to be found guilty of passing a positive by.
Smoking. This is not an article devoted to chastisement. It is devoted to truth, and the truth is that if you are a man and you smoke, you are in danger (five times more so than a woman) of abdominal aortic aneurysm. In plain and simple language this is a bulge on a major blood vessel that shouldn't be there.
I like being a reasonably healthy 83 year old. I would like to keep it that way. I don't want to waste wisdom on foolishness.