Mar 08 2009
Giving it up for Good and for my own Good
There are some things that we eventually give up as we age….even MUST give up….some for our safety, some for our sanity.
I don’t ski anymore, nor snowboard. I was never very good at either and the lack of skill became more hazardous as I aged. Really good skiers can continue into their 70’s and even 80’s, but duffers like me who fall a LOT, and hear things go “crack” in the neck, are better off just watching. It is probably safer for OTHERS on the hill, when I am NOT up there.
I’ve also quit a few activities that take a greater toll on an aging body: alcohol, drugs, cigars, smoking (all kinds), loud music, hunting. The activities I do continue are executed with some modifications. Golf, for instance. A lack of flexibility requires changes to the back swing. Golf can still be fun if we lower our expectations. I’m not going to get my PGA card. I don’t ride a cart yet, but I know that is coming some day. I have mixed feelings about the golf cart. What it represents to me is aging and loss of strength and endurance. Funny thing is, what the golf cart represents to my sons is speed and affluence.
I take a little more care when I am out fishing too. It is more important to have a friend along than it used to be…and I really enjoyed the solitude without other people around. More people die in fishing accidents than one would suspect. I don’t wade out into fast water any more.
I guess I am out of the fast lane these days too. Not trying to outrace the highway patrol. That is a good modification.
