Legacy Letters

August 10, 2009

As a future gerontologist, I’m learning about the importance of keeping in shape. Eating right and keeping your weight down all add up to extra years. Exercise is extremely important for living a healthy and happy life. I have not been a good example. At the age of 50+, I went back to college to improve my mind and gain a master’s degree. While going back to classes has been challenging, it is nothing compared to getting my body back in shape.

Recently, I interviewed a very successful Centenarian. He told me that to be really successful, you had to have perseverance. His mentor, Ansel Adams had passed on that life lesson to him. So, I called up Jenny (Craig, that is) and have survived the first three weeks. Nine pounds are now gone from my body – only 120 more to go!

Thinking that a little exercise might speed things up, I embarked on a new endeavor – riding a bike. Now this sounds like a simple thing to do. Just get on the bike and peddle. Oh, but not so for this girl. First I had to dig out the bike from the tool shed, dodging black widows and pulling chords out of the spokes. Once I got it out and detangled, I found both tires were flat. But undaunted, I pushed on.

Once my tires were full of air, I thought my battle was over. I got on the bike, (which I remembered being much easier) and started out for the road. As I approached the end of the driveway, my courage disappeared. I retreated to riding around the circular drive for a few rounds. Okay, I’m ready, I thought to myself.

Once on the country road outside my house, I carefully listened for the morning race cars that frequent our neighborhood. Every bump in the road and pot hole seemed to jump out at me. I approached a little green acorn and suddenly I had a flash of me flying over the handle bars and skidding along the pavement. But I managed to pass the little bugger with no catastrophes.

What is the last thing that you want to encounter as your huffing and puffing only a few yards from your home? Well, that would be a friend driving by. And yes, dear Nancy rolled down her window and waved a friendly hello. “Are you going to make it to the end of the road?” she asked.

Well, I did enjoy the fresh air and seeing the little goats grazing in the fields. The pennyroyal is blooming and had filled the air with a minty fragrance. The clouds were puffy and the bird in abundance.

I learned to huff and puff with my mouth closed – thanks to a few flies and I did survive.

Back to my safe little office. Will I have the guts to do it again? Stay tuned for future adventures.