The Silver Lining

The Silver Lining

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always found the Silver Lining on all situations no matter how dire they may be.  If we believe in the All mighty, then we must believe that he wouldn’t paint us into a corner.  No matter what he throws at us, we always have free agency (the ability to make choices).  We can choose between, good and bad or bad and worse, and even good and better.

Whenever I find myself in a less than positive situation (not often) I try to figure out what it is that I can do to improve it or even turn it into a total positive.

I won’t bother you with all the details because right now, even I don’t have all the information that is being generated on my behalf.

I won’t tell you my exact age, because if I did, I may have to do away with you (LOL) but suffice to know that even I am amazed at how great of a life I’ve had and how healthy I’ve been.  I was beginning to think that some day I could just drop dead and people would say but he was so healthy.

Four months ago, I went to the doctor’s office for something totally unrelated to what I’m presently dealing with right now.  My regular physician was not available because I came in with a last-minute appointment, so another physician saw me and during the course of regular examination discovered that I had a heart murmur.  She asked me how long I had the murmur.  I explained that I wasn’t aware of any murmurs.

Since then and in short order, I’ve talked to a cardiologist twice, and a couple of heart surgeons.  I’ve had 3 different tests that help determine that I am strong and healthy not yet showing symptoms but definitely need to take action, if I want to take control of my life, literally.

I’ve said it before and will repeat it again and again.  In life there are two people that you need to stay in contact with (communicate), your doctor, and the Internal revenue agent.  No particular order.

Before I cause any damage to my heart, I need to act, the sooner the better.  As I’ve mentioned before, we have free agency (we can make choices).  I can elect to ignore the problem and ruin my quality of life (maybe even be gone within 4 to five years); I can elect the least intrusive and painful way (shorter history to go by).  I have consulted with my wife and selected the more intrusive way, more painful and longest recovery period.  My selection also has a history dating back to the 1950’s with much better odds of success and longevity.

I’m sharing my situation on this blog for two main reasons: 1- I asked family and friends for prayers without an explanation.  I feel that those that offered prayers deserve a thank you and an explanation. 2- I want every person that follows my blog and FB Page to take care of themselves and listen to their body and medical professionals.  For those of you that are in my age range (whatever that might be), life is even more precious than ever.  I will keep you posted on my progress.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Stay positive always. I know that the best is yet to come….

Age Has Its Privileges 2

Age Has Its Privileges 2

This post is an update to: “Age Has Its Privileges”, posted February 17, 2013, http://www.being50.com/2013/02/age-has-its-privileges.html 

Many years ago this time of the month there would be a special excitement in the air about the quickly approaching Thanksgiving Day Holiday.  That excitement, however, was very different from today’s excitement because we were just getting started.  Back then the family was made up of just the two of us.  The old saying what goes around comes around certainly applies in our lives today, but yet so different as to be almost perfect.  We are back to being just the two of us at home again.

Much of the time, its back to being just the two of us, but the difference is that our house can be full of love and laughter in a moment’s notice.   Our children have all grown up and started their own families, yet they all live near enough to be able to drop by with short or no notice.  Most of grandchildren drop by after school or before swim lessons just to spend time with the grandparents.  I’d be willing to bet that they have more toys at our house than they do at their own houses.  For spring and summer weather there is swings in the back yard, and they enjoy chasing each other over or around the sprinklers, and even swimming when supervision is available.

If I had been smart enough to plan my life to turn out as it did, I would be considered a genius.  Instead we lived and provided the best life we could provide for our children, and the outcome was heaven sent. 

Back that many years ago, I remember our first few Thanksgiving Day meals.  We had moved out of town (across the mountains) to the west side of the State.  No family around us, just my bride and me standing back to back against the world.  I seem to remember having a meal from a Sambo’s Restaurant (they have either gone out of business or merged).  This restaurant today would be equivalent to a Denny’s Restaurant (not exactly fine cuisine, but it was open).  Soon after that, our first son joined us, and we would stay home and make a meal at home, and that was the beginning of a new tradition which still stands today.

This time around the turkey is preparing to be the main attraction even if just as a center piece. It seems that many family members have given up eating meat, so I will be forced to eat their share of the turkey (not really, I like turkey sandwiches in the following week).  My wife and I haven’t travel for the holiday for so long that we may not know the way anyway.  I am glad to be comfortably home surrounded by family, with the added laughter of the grandchildren.

I wish all of you, who read and otherwise follow this blog a very happy experience during Thanksgiving Day weekend.  I wish you good health, safety and comfort this week and every week throughout the year.  The best is yet to come….

Age has its privileges

Age has its privileges

I remember when I was young; I would frequent certain restaurants or clubs because I knew someone who worked there.  Today at my present age I visit similar establishments because I know the owner(s).

This weekend my oldest son and his wife came in from out of town on business and decided to spend a couple of days visiting.  Other family members local to the area came by to say high and spend some quality time with their older brother.  Our home has always been the gathering place since everyone called our place home at one time or another.  We have lived in our present home for over 21 years.  My wife and I have discussed that if we ever bought a new home we would still keep this one.  We have way too many memories to just put a price on, at time of sale. 

There is one doorway leading from the garage to the mud room, where every member of the family has been measured for progress through the years, excluding my wife and myself.  Our back yard has no flowers or gardens because it was always meant to be a playground for our children and now grandchildren.  The size of our back yard is twice the size of any house backyard in the neighborhood.  Twenty-one years ago, we bought this house as much for the backyard as for any other feature of the feature loaded house.

Before we could move in we had to make sure that the backyard fence was enlarged to protect a larger portion of the area.  Also a doggie door had to be installed into the side of the garage (still within the fenced backyard area) for our family friend Teddy to come and go as he pleased.  If I mentioned how much extra the cost was you would either think that I was bragging or think I was foolish, so I won’t mention it.  However, you should know that my home and family have always been my priority, and their safety and happiness is most important.

On this outing 6 of our family members went to one of the fine waterfront establishments for brunch.  After setting up a table for six we were seated and prepared to enjoy a fine meal.  As I made my way to the food display area I heard my named called and I was pleasantly surprised to see my friend the owner of the restaurant and his family enjoying a meal.  I went over to say hello, and they proudly mentioned that they had just become grandparents for the first time.  I am an old pro at the grandfather game; I won’t mention how many we have because you will wonder why with the combination of children and grandchildren I still don’t qualify for my own casino.

Later as the restaurant owner and his family were leaving the restaurant they stopped by our table to say high to my family and proudly share pictures of their new addition to their family.  My children were impressed that they would come and share a private family moment with us.  Life is so relaxing when you can go out and enjoy a family moment amongst friends where not only, are you made welcomed, but with a personal touch.  Aging does have its privileges.  The best is yet to come….