Yesterday I had lunch with Wendie, (half of the couple who own TFC, where I have taught for almost 30 years). We meet monthly, always ordering the salad, or the veggies, or leaving off the bread. We drink water, or coffee and catch up on life. Yesterday we sat at the bar. It was happy hour. It was something we have never done before, but yesterday it just seemed right. We discussed how her father-in-law lived his life, destined to live to 140, eating all the right things and exercising daily. We discussed my father and how he was the complete and total antithesis. He gave up exercise of any form, when he was in his 40s and stopped playing softball and baseball. He smoked cigarettes and ate whatever he was in the mood for, with no regard to how it might effect his sugar, his pressure, his cholesterol or his weight.
My dad, George, died 10 years ago at the age of 83. Wendie’s father-in-law, Howard, died last week, at the age of 83. It felt right to sit by the bar and drink our martinis and laugh and ponder life and death. Funny, when it came time to order food, Wen ordered the house salad, and I the vegetable plate. Apparently we can only vie so far from our norm/comfort zone. Decadent would have been if I ordered the veggie burger on a bun with sweet potato fries, but I couldn’t and for a moment, I wondered why.
There is no wonder, though. While Howard was feeling awesome and busy lifting weights and inspiring countless others to become healthy and fit, my dad was huffing oxygen to get from his chair to the bathroom. While Howard was dancing his ass off at his grandson’s bar-mitzvah 8 years ago, my dad was exhausted from getting up to make the blessing over the bread, 10, 13 and 15 years ago at 3 of his grandson’s big days. Sure, they both crossed over at the same age, but their quality of life for so many years prior, was like black and white. I desperately want to be the one dancing!
So I wake up this morning very, very clear about why I make the choices that I make in my life. I am clear about why I eat the way I do and why I exercise the way I do. Quality of life is what I have and what I aspire to continue to have. As Ron put so well, and Wendie reminded me yesterday, though Howard passed away at 83, he crammed 140 years into those 83 and that’s exactly what I want, too and what I wish for all of you.
With that in mind, I am off to make some breakfast and then hit the gym for class. I will be heading to Barnes and Noble later to pick up the book The China Study, which trainer Bob Harper claims changed his way of life. Written about 5 years ago, I had not heard of it until yesterday. You can google it and find out a lot about it, as I did earlier this morning.
Thanks, Carol, for sending the link about the cereal recall. If any of you have children or friends that hit the Froot Loops or other similar cereals, you will want to pass along this link:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20100625/kelloggs-cereal-recall-due-to-odd-smell
A huge congratulations to Michelina (aka Michelle) who had her baby girl this week!!! Welcome Gabriella.
Enjoy your Saturday. Fill your plate, your head, your heart and your life with quality. You deserve it!
It was a very interesting compare/contrast between Howard and George. In short, I guess whatever makes a person happy is the best “end result.” Howard had a passion for fitness and good nutrition and George had a passion to totally enjoy himself the way HE wanted. Let them both “rest in peace.” Both men will always be loved and remembered.
Well…..I have been given the “thumbs-up” to go to the gym, BUT, I will be the “modified” version of myself!!! I was strongly advised from my physical therapist and dr…….no impact……no bending……..no weights with classes. So, I shall tread lightly and just be grateful that I can return. My goal is to complete a “strength machine” rotation and then participate in the class (probably only a portion of it). I am excited, but I admit, I am a bit nervous. I do not want to revisit my injury. I miss everyone very much.
Carol, I hope you are getting stronger each day. You are always in my thoughts.
Does anyone know where I can purchase “democaine” other than on the internet. It comes highly recommended for sports injuries.
Happy Saturday to all!
My guess is that if you go to a drug store or even a health food store they are going to have products that contain democaine, but go by different names….the “caine” part is a numbing agent…i have never used it (that i know of) but did use an arnica rub on my leg when i injured it—arnica is for healing, however, not pain…
SO DOES THIS MEAN I WILL SEE YOU THIS MORNING????????
Thanks for the info about democaine…….I will be returning next week. I am still very cautious and I want to get some more strength training before I attempt your class. Can’t wait for the reunion!!!
be sure to push THE lightest amount of weights possible…dont rotate! keep your spine OUT of rotation for now…i cant wait, too…and lunch this friday! anywhere you decide! i am done with work very early and we can do an early (noonish) lunch if that works for you…oxoxox
My dad lived to be 101. He was always on the move, and was a runner when he was young. His quality of life was good until just a few years before his death. He was still walking- with help-on his 100 birthdy. I remember him telling me that when he could’t walk any more-that that was the time he woud die.
In comparison to my mother who did live to be 87-he still had his mind-she was struck by alziemers and became a problem to him. So off she went to a nursing home and died there. I still remember with much heartache the time I went back home to visit them and she did not know who I was. My dad, however at his 100 birthday party knew each and everyone of us.
So like you said-quality is what we want out of life as we get older-don’t mind getting older-but I too want to keep on dancing!
Again nice class on saturday-I enjoy the interval training. Thanks-PEACE to all
Ah…so you have some good genes for longativity, Judy—now you have to hope you have your dad’s MIND- (me, too)
Glad you are enjoying the classes…it’s as much fun as it is important to keep mixing things up…see you tomorrow.