|
|
Hi everyone!
When we were feeling some stress a month or so ago and re-evaluating our goals, my wife assured me that everything was going to be fine, but it was essential that I play more golf!
I know some of you are reading this and going – no way, he must be joking! – but I assure you that is exactly what she said. Amanda knows that when I golf it helps me relieve stress, get more exercise, and get fresh air. That last one is so important especially for those of us who work from home. It is absolutely essential to get out there and get fresh air on a regular basis, and take a break from the screens.
I used to golf at the local, public, par 3course, which is small, flat, and easy. Then after a bit of time we both realized it would help us to get out of the house more and meet more people, so we put it on our goal list to join a local country club. About two months later we did exactly that!
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a golf fanatic, but I do enjoy it. Sometimes I learn more off of the course, or from the other players, than I do on the course while playing. Golfing, and in particular belonging to the country club, puts me in contact with people I would not otherwise befriend.
One of the cool things to me about golf is it is one of those rare sports that can be enjoyed at any age level. I remember when I first started golfing, up in Syracuse, New York, there was an older gentleman I used to see on the course. He must have been in his 80s, and he used a walker to help him get around the course. His walker was modified so it had three pegs on each leg of the walker, which allowed him to carry a few clubs with him, horizontally. Here was a man who could barely walk, but I guarantee you he was a much better golfer than me. Probably still is!
Yesterday while I was warming up before my feeble attempt at playing 9 holes, I got to chatting with a man who I’m guessing is in his 60s. He was telling me about the various health conditions he has survived, including prostate cancer, and heart replacement surgery! If I hadn’t had chatted with him, I would have thought he was in his late 50s at the oldest. He told me about how he has had his current heart for four years, and that the heart came from a woman who was in her 30s and had a bicycle accident. Her daughter is now his adoptive daughter in a loose sense. She checks in on him on a regular basis, and will visit him to listen to her mother’s heart beat in his chest.
Wow.
I’m not going to hop on a soap box about the importance of being an organ donor, but a conversation like that really makes you think…
After I exchanged numbers with this man so we could play a round together later in the week, I grabbed my walking cart and set out to play the back 9 holes. I knew after the first hole it was going to be a long afternoon, so when I saw someone coming up on a riding cart I sat and waited at hole 10. When she caught up to me I encouraged her to play through, but she insisted that I join her for the remainder of the rounds. She assured me that yes she could help me find any stray balls, so I jumped in her cart and away we went!
Let me tell you folks, this lady has the patience of a saint. I must have hit my ball into every tree on this course, and this is a course with a ton of trees! She helped me track down my errant shots, and gave me a few pointers along the way. We were getting close to the end of our round when she revealed she had three children who were all older than me! I couldn’t beleive it. I wouldn’t have pegged her as being old enough to have children in their 40s, but that was the case.
I’m grateful for my health that allows me to get out there and enjoy an afternoon of golf.
I’m grateful for my wife who is so supportive of my goals.
I’m grateful to my new friends Loren and Connie for reminding me to enjoy every day, and giving me hope that in time I may be able to play as well as they play today!
Whatever you do for exercise or to meet new people, take the time to get to know people of all age groups. If you can find a common interest, all the better.
Here’s hoping that you live a long, happy, and healthy life!
Recent Comments