Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Day 1333: Old friends

Two days with no swimming!  This is the first time since May that I've missed more than one day.  It feels strange, but the weather was just too cool!  Tomorrow,  I'll be back in the pool, although I'll bet it lost ten degrees.

I had lunch with an old friend who recently lost her 93 year old mother to a brain tumor.   My friend is stunned by how sad and paralyzed she feels.  Her mom lived a full life, did not suffer at the end, and never lost her faculties.  She realizes her family has much to be grateful for, but is still overwhelmed by the loss.  It doesn't matter how old the parent is, their passing leaves us feeling disconnected, empty and a bit lost.  What I would have given to have another twenty years with my folks!

Then another old friend stopped by the house to visit.  Although only a year older than I am, her physical ailments have aged her an additional twenty years.  How do we stay so fit, she wanted to know.  Spending time with kids!  That's the answer!  Hiking, teaching, building, painting, laughing, joking, dancing, cooking, talking.  Kids are invigorating!  They keep us from focusing on the past or on illnesses or losses.  Instead, they are bubbling over with an infectious enthusiasm for life.


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