Athletic

I have been an athlete all my life. I grew up on the ball field. I was the "bat girl" for my fathers fast pitch team from grade school through high school. I loved it and one of my duties was warming up the pitchers getting ready to go in. I loved it.

I also knew football ... I remember being so insulted in grade school when I realized that they would not let girls play football. And further insulted when the principal wanted me to teach the boys to throw a spiral ... which of course I did.

My parents lived next to hundreds of acres of public land, deep woods, canyons, creeks ... the perfect place for adventure. The neighbor kids and I spent hundreds of hours roaming, climbing, swimming and just loving every moment we were outside.

By the age of 13 I had passed my life guard tests and was teaching beginning swimming in the mornings and lifeguarding in the afternoons. I used to ride my bicycle the 10 miles into town and lifeguard and then ride home. In high school I discovered gymnastics. In college I rode my bike, learned to play tennis and of course played ball.

As a young married woman I learned to ski, played competition racquetball and of course continued to play ball. Over the years I added many new activities and loved them all. In my 40's I got back to a love that I had in my youth, I began to hike again and for the last 15 years that has been the thing that has filled with empty places and soothed my hurting heart.

One of the things that I have found so frustrating about these last 8 months has been my inability to do the things I love. No hiking, backpacking, no long treks int he woods searching for mushrooms. It is not my nature or my preference to live this kind of sedentary life. However as I let with the specialist yesterday he made this comment, "the only reason your lungs are in as good shape as they are is because you have been an athlete all your life."

That comment has really made me think about my life. I was so fortunate to be brought up into a family that valued activity, sports and the outdoors. They always encouraged me to strive, to do for myself and live life fully.  That encouragement has not only helped shape my life and interests, but it is paying off in helping to protect my health.

It also reminds me that this place I find myself, is temporary. There is healing going on and good things ahead for me.

I am thinking ... I am blessed.

Just Connie