Yesterday we had a big family gathering to Celebrate Connor’s 4th Birthday, and Tessa’s 2nd Birthday. With birthday cupcakes, presents flying, kids flying, and enough hugs and giggles to give us all an energy boost. Everybody had a great time. Even Uncle Dan in the background photobombing!
It’s the kind of day you don’t track in miles–but you feel it. It was a workout just to stay focused on what was all happening. Just energy, noise, and magic that only a 2- and 4- year- old can generate. Tessa was full of smiles and danced with herself. Connor tore into his presents like a pro. And I found myself watching my grown kids become parents, wondering how time can stretch so fast and so full.
There are few things more grounding than grandkids. They don’t care about your title. They don’t know how tired you may actually be. They don’t ask about your to-do list. They just reach up. They ask you to play. And in that moment, you realize–this is the good stuff!
Not the polished photos. Not the perfect frosting swirls. Not the carefully wrapped gifts. It’s the sticky fingers grabbing yours. The cupcake crumbs on your shirt. The spontaneous hugs and belly laughs and “let’s go Grandpa!”
So, this weekend, it was a moment to forget about things. Relax, and take in life. I celebrated life through the eyes of two little ones who are growing way too fast. And I remembered that being present is its own kind of workout–maybe the most important one. My daughter Megan drove home, and Sarah and I were in the back seat–sleeping. It wore us out! It just goes to show that you may not be able to always measure love…but you can feel it–and it was all worthwhile! Keep moving everybody–if you don’t already, some day you will have grandkids that you have to keep up with because they never slow down!
I felt that this week. One of those “how does anyone keep up with all of it?” kind of weeks.
And when that happens, I have a ritual that grounds me— I move!
Sarah too, here stretching before our workout in the “Reiflex Center”–our gym in the garage.
We both move not to escape, but to return our ourselves. A run, walk, a workout in the garage together. Even 20 minutes outside clear the static. The me that just worked out is better equipped for what’s ahead–every single time.
But this week, I found another kind of therapy.
It sizzled. It smoked. It came from our brand-new Blackstone grill.
We picked it up at our hospital’s BASH fundraiser. And this weekend, it earned it spot in our hearts, and our driveway, and soon patio.
Sweet and sour chicken. Fried rice. Working together. Eating together. The smell of it all rising into the warm sunny evening. Cooking something together. Slowing down enough to savor. And the taste…wow!
And the best part–leftovers for tomorrow!
We’re always told to make time for what matters. But when life gets hectic, we forget how to do that. So maybe it’s a walk. Maybe it’s a workout. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s dinner on a hot griddle, with someone you love standing next to you helping. Because sometimes the best cure for being too busy…is just to stop. Move. Breathe. And then later cook something together. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of newest streak: # 501–I just surpassed the 500 day mark!!!
At this year’s Freedom Run 5k, my 30-year-old daughter crossed the finish line in 25:22. I crossed in 25:25. She posted the evidence online with the kind of pride and playfulness only a former swimmer turned runner could pull off. “Photographic Evidence,” she said–with the finish line shot to prove it.
She wasn’t always a runner. She swam competitively for years, only really getting into running over the past 5 years (or so). And now here she is–finishing ahead of her dad in a holiday 5K. She’s strong, focused, and just starting to see what her legs can do. Here are a few shots of the start of the race, and she bolted out!
Even thinking prior to the race, she is looking at Sarah while I am taking the picture, wondering, I am sure, “how can I trip the ol man up?”
My really fast times are done. I’m 60. My personal best was once 15:50 (yes, really), and my wife, Sarah, my forever training partner, ran this year at 28:39, with her personal best around 21:30. Those days are long gone. We both found ourselves marveling at how time changes everything…how “time changes our times!”
But also how it deepens everything too.
This wasn’t just a race–it was a full circle moment. I used to be the one leading her. Guiding her. Telling her to “pace yourself”, or “don’t go out too fast” (who am I kidding, I still do!) Now I’m watching her grow into her own stride. Watching her pass me (if she didn’t jump out in front of me from the start!). And watching her smile while she does it.
Because what matters most?
That she’s running.
That she’s healthy.
That we’re doing this together.
My daughter and I might not match paces much longer. But I’ll show up every time I can. And I’ll celebrate every second–yes, even the 3 seconds she beat me by!
Sarah and I taught our kids well. We have been active and running since we met. Our kids saw it. Watched us. Ran with us. And we watched them run, or swim, growing up. That is how we support each other. Personal records fade. Finish lines change. But running together? That’s the real win! Here is to many more Megan! (We also spent the early part of June visiting our son Nick in the cities–and we ran with him every morning.) Keep moving everybody!
The grandkids came for a visit this weekend. Once again, it is part of my personal wellness plan. Always on the go. Always moving! Got to stay in shape just to keep up. We worked out at home, mowed the lawn, and went to the zoo. They crashed last night after all that. Me too!
Our daughter Megan came along to the zoo and helped keep track of them. Always running to the next display. Then at the zoo playground, we just sat down and watched them go! It allowed me time to take a breather as well!
We rode the horse. Got on a elephant. Rode the Flintstone’s car. Did an obstacle course. Saw all the animals, birds, fish. Watched the bear go to his picnic table for lunch and climbed up to the table and sat his butt on the chair and ate. Connor thought that was a hoot! We hit all of the face boards as well and had to take out pictures in the faces as well.
We all had a ball feeding the goats!
Connor had to help me mow the lawn Saturday afternoon after the zoo. We had to wait from doing this in the morning because of the rain. He is a great helper. Bottom line, they just want to be involved. He did not want to quit. If I was out there, he wanted to be out there with me!
The best part of the weekend…we got to spend some time together, and we all had fun! This is why my grandkids are my favorite wellness program. The activity…the fun…the togetherness…
Until next time…the zoo will definitely be on the list to continuing going to. Everybody had fun! Just spending time together. It brought back memories of when Megan, Molly, and Nick were this age and we took them to the zoo. Now my kids are helping us take the grandkids to the zoo! Fun!!! Keep moving everybody!
Sarah and I were outside by 6 this AM to take our dog Dakota for a walk before it got too hot. It was already hot and humid with the temperature being in the upper 70″s. Out west the clouds were moving in, it was lightning, and we cut the walk short, not because of the heat and humidity, but we thought we were going to get dumped on. It did rain by 6:30 but was short lived. Our run club meets at 7AM, and we did not know how many of us would show up. As you can see, we had a great turnout. What makes our run club unique? We show up for each other. When the conditions outside scream “stay in bed”, and your body wants to politely agree, but your heart pulls you toward movement. Maybe it’s habit. Maybe it’s discipline. Maybe it’s something deeper: a commitment to show up for yourself…and for each other.
We didn’t break any records here today. We moved through the motion that keeps us grounded…part sweat, part sanity. I’ve learned that striving isn’t glamorous. It’s often messy. It means bending, not breaking. And knowing that your pace might be slower this season, but it’s still yours to set. Tom and I have been running partners now for over 28 years, The shirt he wore today is the last one he will be wearing for awhile.
Here is more of a close up of his shirt…
“All men are created equal, but the best can still go running in their sixties.” Tom will turn 70 next month and is still out their putting in the miles. Running isn’t always about comfort. It’s about showing up. We strive not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it! See you on many more runs Tom. The only training partner I have had for a longer time than with Tom…
…my Sarah. Through thick and thicker. Good weather and bad. In sickness and in health. Running partners are just like marriage…our vows sound similar to this. Always there…always will be…because it’s worth it! Keep moving everybody!
