We went down to Sioux Falls yesterday to go see my mom. She is in a nursing home there. She will be 92 the day after Thanksgiving. It gets tough seeing a parent like this. She needs help with everything. But, even though she needs help, she does not forget that she is still a mom. My birthday was Friday, and she called me Friday and Saturday last week already to wish me a Happy Birthday. Then she called me on my birthday too. When I told her we were coming down to see her yesterday she was so excited. When we got there, she was sleeping in her wheelchair in her room, but she was holding a container of chocolate chips cookies to share. My sister Mary had made these and had them there my twin brother Don because he usually sees her on Mondays. So, of course, we had to have some of them and sent a text to my brother telling him that is was also my birthday and we were going to help share his cookies! That led to some back-and-forth texts! We did manage to leave some for him. No matter what, my mom is still my mom and always wants to do something for us. This is a good reminder for everyone out there–if you have kids, you are always a parent. You will always want to see your kids. You always want what’s best for your kids, even if the situation is not the greatest for yourself. That is what forever love will do!
As the kid, you also always want what’s best for your parents too. It is hard seeing her this way in the nursing home. She was always so independent and did things for everyone else. Now she can’t. But she is still a mom, and will always be a mom…my mom…and she wants what’s best for her kids…and grandkids!
Megan came along with us. She is thrilled anytime someone comes to see her. We all feel that way. Nobody wants to feel forgotten. We all have a purpose in life, and that purpose is still there until we no longer are present. Call them. Write them. See them. She is still my mom, and always will be. We all want the best for her too.
As a parent, you also know how much your kids mean to you, even if they are always trying to play jokes on you, right Megan? Megan was taking a picture of my mom and I, and of course, when she has my phone, she does other things with it too. She managed to take more selfie pictures of herself than of us. I don’t get mad, I get even! Here is one of her self mugs she took!
Ha! Ha! Great picture Megan! This even made my mom laugh. “Kids will be kids!” And “Parents will be parents…always!” So, for all you kids out there, remember your parents. They will always do anything for you. They will always love you. Just don’t forget about us!
Some days, it feels like we are buried in details.
Appointments. Work. Schedules. Deadlines. Stress. Work out times. Dealing with injury.
Trying to sort out everything this week, especially after just being on vacation last week, rushing to make up the difference of being gone, has been stressful. And then it hit me–why do we make everything so complicated? Some things do create more stress and pressure. The other things, the little things, where if we add them all up, become big things–we need to learn to let it go! Relax! Most of the stress and pressure we are under we create ourselves. Take it easy on yourself. Try to keep life simple. We need to act more like our grandkids. My daughter Molly took this next picture. It is becoming one of my favorites.
The family out harvesting at sunset. My 4-year-old grandson Connor is explaining about life to my 2-year-old granddaughter Tessa! Carefree. Worry free. Just there for each other. We could learn a lot from this!
It was boss’s day on Thursday. When I got to clinic on Friday my nurse had a bouquet on my desk. Some other people on Thursday had flower bouquets on their desk. This was my flower bouquet!
Now that is a bouquet! My favorite. My nurse definitely knows me!
Everybody needs to learn to keep things more simple. And, simple does not mean lazy! We all work hard. We all push it. For what??? Simple isn’t lazy. It’s sustainable! That goes for relationships, workouts, meals, work, and even how you spend a quiet Sunday. It may not be too quiet–the Vikings play, you know!
We all need to learn to reset the compass. “Why am I making this harder than it has to be?” We don’t need a better app on our phone to do this. We need a better mindset. Some things are complex, but everything does not need to be!
What about you? What’s one thing you’re overcomplicating right now? And how would it feel to just let it be simpler? Only you can do it. So what are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody!
Sarah and I just got back from a week out in the Hills. What a great week! Sarah ran the Crazy Horse Half Marathon the day after we arrived. I am still recovering from injury so can’t run. We biked, hiked, walked every day. I had no less than 8 miles a day hiking/walking. We took our e-bikes out. One day covered 24 miles, and another day 46 miles. The scenery was so gorgeous! I took so many pictures! It was a great get away.
Tom and Sue Beaudry were out there for 3 of the days that we were. Went out to eat several times. Hiked every day! Charlie, their dog, went on all of the hikes as well. Whatever distance we covered, Charlie covered 3 times that! So full of energy while we were out there, then crashed and slept the rest of the day. Here are some shots from Black Elk Peak (former Harney Peak):
We were rained on, snowed on, then the sun came out, then the haze and walking in the clouds. Welcome to South Dakota, land of infinite variety–of weather! The Mickelson Trail is awesome, and we were on it every day! We saw deer and turkeys on the trail. Out hiking we saw Big Horn Sheep and Mountain goats!
I took literally thousands of photos! I did a lot of experimenting with the scenery. I have photos for the State Fair again next year! The best way to see things is to get out and move…hiking, walking, biking! So important again to get out and move. Keep moving everybody!
Where does the time go? 35 years ago today we said to each other: “I do”. And we have! It has been a great lifetime together. Medical school; residency; running road races; moving to Watertown and starting our medical career; raising a family; now having grandchildren! Wow! Life does not slow down. I will admit, there are times when things seemed like they go really slow, but looking back, I cannot believe how fast these 35 years have gone. I had an elderly patient in his upper 80’s, having some issues with dementia, tell me one of the sanest things I have ever heard. He told me: “You know doc, the older we get, the faster time goes!” He nailed it right on! How true this is. There are times when this ride of time feels like a roller coaster, but everything eventually evens out again. We just keep planning the next adventure. Happy 35th Anniversary Sarah and hoping for many more years to come. Love you more than ever!! Keep moving everybody!
There is nothing like baby snuggles! Caleb is definitely a snuggler…just like Tessa and Connor were. They will just lay on your chest and sleep, and then I fall asleep. Both of us are incredibly content. Is there really anything better? We visited them all last Sunday and now are going again this Sunday because Caleb is going to be baptized. More baby snuggles coming!!
Tessa had to join in on the snuggles too…and the giggles! What a great day. Can’t wait for this Sunday too! Connor, as the oldest (4) will be there to be the overall protector!
Tessa has to get involved with everything too. She was going to make sure grandma was feeding Caleb correctly! And after she was finished feeding him, Tessa let her know she did a good job!
Never a dull moment. Ready to go experience some more of all of this again this weekend. Caleb is changing so much too. Each grandchild makes it easier to pour your heart into someone again. We love being grandparents. We love watching our kids’ become parents. We are always a parent, and will always worry about our kids, and now grandkids. We just want the best for all of them. Sound familiar all you grandparents, and parents, out there. Keep moving everybody…we have to got to keep up with all of them!
It’s not always the big, dramatic injuries that trip you up. Sometimes, it’s the quiet ones. The ones that sneak up after a race. The ones that remind you: “You’re not invincible.”
After our last 5k race 2 weeks ago, I notice some heal pain. At first, it was just background noise. Then it got louder, and by that evening, I could not step on my foot. I iced it, stretched, but could not run the next day. I could bike because I was not putting any pressure on my heal. It was jut not letting up. I thought I had a stress fracture. Several days later, and an xray later, it showed it was not. It would get a little better after getting through the first few minutes of stepping on it. Plantar Fasciitis! My nemesis! Once again. Sarah and I have a Half Marathon coming up in the Hills in about 3 weeks. I don’t know at this point if I am going to be able to run it. The Crazy Horse Half Marathon. I can bike. I can be on the elliptical. I ran once last week. I will try again this Sunday. Will just have to see how it feels.
It is a mental tug-of-war. Not the injury itself, but the decisions that come with it. Push through and risk making it worse? Pull back and feel like you’re giving up? There’s no clear answer. Just a gut check. A little wisdom. And a lot of patience. Maybe I will run the Half. Maybe I’ll just jog part of it and walk the rest. Maybe I’ll cheer Sarah on from the trail’s edge and save my energy, and my foot, for hiking the rest of the week when we are gone. But whatever happens, I’m not stopping. My streak will keep going. I can do other activities, and I have been doing other activities at home.
I have an elliptical exercise machine. I have a recumbent bike. I can stay in shape with these while I let my foot heal. And I have been. I have been faithful with my inserts too.
My power step pulse inserts have been a part of me for years. My only issue is maybe I hang on to them too long. Some of my shoes may be older and more worn than I like to think. None of these are cheap, and so I am trying to get everything out of them as I can. But foot pain is another issue. Nothing is worth that. I need to start keeping a closer log of how long I am using them. How many miles I put on them, whether running or walking, or just hours with them.
My Oofa recovery sandals are by the door. My walking shoes are by the door. My running shoes are by the door. When they start losing their cushion I need to get rid of them. If I want to stay on the road, and run, or walk, I need to take extra care of my feet.
Sarah and I will be doing a lot of hiking as well. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year to be in the Hills. I will be hiking. I just may not be able to do the Half Marathon when we get out there. Will see. 3 weeks is still time yet. If I am ready, I will. If not, plan B. Don’t exactly know what plan B will be yet but will know more as each day goes by. Take care of your feet. They are the only ones we get! Keep moving everybody!
