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| Lunchtime on Raptor Ridge, May 2014 |
In the picture above, Mikey (center) was once someone you could count on seeing from week to week. Then he started having problems with his back and knees. Suddenly he stopped coming, and although it hasn't been that long, when he didn't show up to visit with us at our annual Christmas party, I realized I might not see him again any time soon. Rita, next to him on his right, also has knee problems. I still see her occasionally at the Y, but she says she is saving her knees for dancing and cannot do long hikes any more. I recognize that red cap in the lower right as belonging to Fred, who has abandoned us to return to work at his old job.
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| Diane, Jonelle, Rita, Jacqueline |
There are others, once regulars, who don't join us on Thursdays any more for a variety of reasons. There are other Senior Trailblazers who have become mainstays, but that doesn't mean I don't miss my old friends. It reminds me to be grateful for each and every time I get to go outside and play. This Thursday looks like it will be wet and maybe a little bit of a drag when compared to other more sunny Thursdays, but I'll be there. And I'll enjoy it, too, no matter what!
:-)
It seems that at the age in life when we need our friends and family the most they begin to slip away from us. It's good you make friends easily and continue to stay active. Doesn't mean we don't miss our friends & family though. I've missed my blogging friends. Decided to start blogging again so I could stay in touch. lrth42.blogspot.com, 'Two Fixer-Uppers'
ReplyDeleteit is sad to think the aging bodies don't want to allow the activity you love so much.
ReplyDeleteYou gotta use it or lose it - once it's lost, it's often hard to find again!
ReplyDeleteWell, at least none of them has died.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with your other friends.
I wonder if any of your hiking friends mentioned above follow your blog? If they can't physically join you, they may love seeing your photos and reading your posts about places they love...but for whatever reason(s) can't be there for a while.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your friends' photos, and I pray for the health of those you mentioned.
Sending you love from South Georgia,
Jackie
Time does seem to move so much more quickly at this time of life.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happens in my skating group. There were about 100 skaters 18 years ago when I started. Now only 3 or 4 or uw are left.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was cute that Rita is saving her knees for dancing! I was missing Mikey too and wondered about him. People get busy or have health problems from time to time...the Wood Carving Group has a hiker, I told him plan a two mile hike and I will come along!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great hike this week:)
You are such a great people person. You make friends deeply and well. I like to think those who have dropped out are following your blog to stay in touch. I would want to.
ReplyDeleteI see the same phenomenon at my table tennis club -- people drop out b/c of knees, ankles, backs, etc. That's why I also play golf. Any old broken-down codger can play golf; you can do it (almost) to the day you die.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to "Tom Sightings" comment....I heard there is a very senior Golf Club in Hampton, where one can putt all day, when you cannot get the full swing in anymore...so there ya go, Golf forever. Unfortunately some hips, knees, back do not do well with age, no matter ho agile one is. You are most fortunate DJan to get out to play and I also agree with comment by "Linda Reeder". Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is slow, sometimes quickly but it seems the body will eventually send us signals that it just might be time to find new interests. The beauty is when we can find the cool interests like Rita and dancing. Your body is NOT sending you those signals so keep enjoying playing in the hills.
ReplyDeleteMaybe schedule a luncheon with some of the drop outs to reconnect?
Yes, makes one grateful for each time out and about with new or old friends. How wonderful that you are still out there yet. :)
ReplyDeleteNot everyone has your determination either Djan! It is true that as we get older we have good days and bad days and your hikes are a bit extreme (to me at least). I doubt I would last very long. I admire all of you for your tenacity and you all look fit even if you don't feel it sometimes. Keep walking...
ReplyDeleteI remember one year we spent a couple weeks on the island of Oahu. Climbing. And being from the dry climes of Colorado at the time, the humidity got the best of me...I suffered. But one day we hiked up Diamondhead Mountain and a woman in her 80s was ahead of us, I frequently made stops because of the high humidity....she had no problems. Thirty years my senior!!!
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of the will and will power has a lot to do with your mindset...but then there are aches/pains/life circumstances that keep us from doing what we love...and I can understand your missing friends who for some reason can't show up. It's the worst of times, the best of times...y'know?
I'm on the other side of the fence at the moment as I have tendon problems. The consultant has told me to stop hiking and table tennis for at least 6 months. These were the only group activities I did so I sorely miss meeting up with these friends. I can walk on flat surfaces so am still doing my London and Underground walks but these I do on my own so I'm a bit of a 'Billy no mates' for a while.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. There's a whole bunch of ladies in my Zumba group that no longer come and I wonder what's happened to them. A lot don't come because of knee problems.
ReplyDeleteIt seems through out our lives friends join us along our journey of life but then events cause change and friends move on. These days my life has less friends as my days are passed with Buddy. Even blogging is hard due to vision issues.
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