What makes you smile???

[Guest guest]

Despite the pain and the daily challenges...real or imagined…and yes,

I'll be the first to admit those nasty psychological ones creep in

now & again...I try my hardest to keep a positive attitude. Please

don't get the wrong impression, there are those days in which smiles

are tough, if not impossible, to muster. Regardless, I try to make

the most of everyday. There is a fair amount of talk about the

aches, pains, & other realities of our day to day existence on this

board. I feel for each of you and care about your struggles as I

walk in the same shoes...the pain, the fear, the uncertainty...I know

that I personally benefit from the discussions and realize how

important the conversations and commiseration are to all of us. Yet,

what about the other parts of your life, you know, the stuff that

makes life worth living despite the sarc?

For me, my daughters are a constant source of joy in my life. I

spend as much time as I can with my children, knowing all too well

that they will somedy move on with their own lives...as it should

be. I also enjoy the outdoors and garden through the entire year

(winter in Zone 5 - brrrr) thanks to an attached greenhouse that I

picked up off a freecycle site a few years back.

The library continues to be one of my favorite places despite the

changes in my eyesight. Books on tapes and large print versions

offer a welcome form of escape from the real world. New hobbies &

past times are slowly replacing the old but exercise remains a

primary focus as it provides the physical & mental edge to ride out a

flare. Be that as it may, biking & running are not viable activities

right now. A station bike has since replaced the mountain bike which

now sits in the basement, patiently awaiting my return...training for

5K races has given way to casual walks along the canal path. A

temporary condition for I will run & bike again...and soon.

Animals add a dash of color to an otherwise quiet existence. One

daughter has a cat, the other a ferret, a hamster & fish...me, I have

a few chickens & a bee hive out back. The kids aren't with me

everyday so the critters depend on me for feed & care. I wake up

each day knowing full well that I have to get out of the rack &

attend to chores regardless of how I feel. Surprisingly, sometimes

this is the kick in the fanny I need to get me going...the rest of

the day may not be a stroll in the park but it sure as heck beats

laying in bed all day.

All in all, it is the small things which make me smile...spending

time with the kids even if it's just homework & dinner, finding new

sprouts in the garden, finishing a good book, conversing with friends

either on the phone or via e-mail...each of these make getting out of

the rack in the morning well worth the effort. And you...what keeps

you going & makes you smile?

[Guest guest]

I'm fortunate in that I can still drive myself around, and I take a 30 min drive "down the hill" to Chico 3 mornings a week. I have been going to a Pulmonary Rehab exercise Maintenence Group, where at almost 50-- I'm the "kid" of the group.

we have a 96 yo lady that comes in on her walker, and then sets up with her chair directly behind her, and does the "warm-ups". Arm circles, marching in place (she sits down to do this--balance issues) lunges, 1 pound weight lifts with arm exercises, and then she jumps on the treadmill. She'll spend 15 min at 1/2 mph on that machine.

She then comes over and sits down, has a snack-- last week she had dates stuffed with peanut butter (laced with Southern Comfort) and then she goes over to a seated stepper, and spends 20 min doing the arm and step exercises.

She then jumps off that, grabs the walker, and races to the door- to wait for the courtesy van to pick her up and take her home.

This wonderful woman (Leta) is my mentor. she is an inspiration to me, and to all the others in the class. Her goal this year is to find a husband. LOL!

My other joys are my guys. My husband and I have been married for almost 31 yrs-- and we have a 23 yo son. Both of them keep me laughing- and sometimes crying, and always in awe of what they can and will do. They are both avid outdoorsmen, backpacking, hiking, biking, fishing, Four Wheeling, and just loving being out in God's country. It truly is their and my communion.

I also make sure that I get up each day, get dressed, and do something. Even if it's just to walk to the mailbox. I love spiderwebs-- and the dew sitting on them, roses and tulips, and gnomes.

I have a huge collection of Tom Gnomes-- and they bring me such joy. I'm sure that my home has a host of the them, and the Gnasty ones steal the socks from the washer or dryer.

I am never without at least 2 or 3 books going at the same time. Reading is so very important a relaxer and an escape.

Thank you for bringing up the topic. It is so important to count the blessings, and celebrate the days.

Tracie

NS CO-owner/moderator