Looking Ahead

It’s much easier to believe that we will always be as hale and hearty as we are today, rather than face the possibility of an infirm future.

Chuck received a call from a fellow he used to work with many years ago. They’ve stayed in touch mostly through holiday cards and seeing each other at occasional parties for colleagues who are retiring. Al is an octogenarian, but the years are weighing very heavily on his body. He has a variety of health challenges, some quite serious. But, like so many folks we know, he is fighting determinedly to remain independent.

As Chuck and I went for our walk this afternoon, we found ourselves talking about what might be in our future. When we moved to this two story house a decade and a half ago, one of the things we evaluated was, if necessary, could we live just on the first floor. There was sufficient space, but we would need a full (and fully accessible) bathroom to be installed on the ground floor. With that remodel, we would expand our options considerably. Keep in mind, that when we moved here, we were still hoping to have children and raise a family. But even at that stage of our lives, we were acutely aware of the long view.

So as we walked ‘round and ‘round the track today, we decided to move the downstairs bathroom farther up the “To Do” list. We also realize that the walking - and anything else we can do to improve our health - will go a very long way to keep us well and strong as long as possible. And with any luck, all our preparations will be like the insurance of remembering to grab your umbrella as you head out the door: it won’t rain a drop!