These are the times that try men’s souls – not a quote from me, although the wisdom of it for this day is definitely present. It would seem that COVID-19 has been reckoned with successfully. Yet the fear factor is being played to the hilt. I am of the polio generation, standing in a huge line at Grant Park to receive my sugar cube. Don’t get me wrong. I am not poo-pooing the precautions. However, the harm that it is doing to we who try to find the long- lost joy in living is not amusing. Rather, we are dealing with alarm and fear every day. There appears to be a blatant reluctance to acknowledge happiness, let alone bliss.
I am of the opinion that attitude is everything. Yes, we have an epidemic. Only the hospitals know for sure the number of affected lives and deaths. With polio we had Dr. Salk. With COVID we have Dr. Fauci proclaiming “I”, “yes”, or “no”. Daily he issued the number of expected fatalities. It took over a year to produce a vaccine and several months for it to become available. Many people clung to hope as a drowning man might cling to the perceived hand reaching for him. Dr. Fauci had his day in the sun proclaiming facts, numbers and grim predictions.
There came the masks, social distancing and closures. Then came the hopeful day when masks were not required except on public transit, in restaurants and medical facilities. Then there followed the return to masks due to the Delta variant. Now, I ask that you notice when you go to the grocery store next week the array of vastly overweight people. Notice also the contents of their carts. For every trim/fit shopper you will probably see ten who are forcing their bones and hearts to support a strain that can only lead to illness or collapse. All of us need to look hard and fast at our lives. We need to assume responsibility for our health.
Lest you read this and think what does she know! Fifteen years ago, I had my yearly physical. I was called back in by my doctor. I had forbidden the nurses to ever tell me my weight. I dressed in large, loose clothing. To my dismay, on the day I was called back, my doctor handed me a paper listing all the drugs I would be taking to hopefully prevent an “incident.” I left the office and the list. All 5’4” and 170 lbs. of me was determined to take care of business. Arriving home, I tossed out the banana cream pie and calmly continued through the fridge and the cupboards until what was left were foods that would nourish. I did not buy a scale or any new clothes. I dreaded Christmas which would arrive in four months.
I walked everyday rain or shine. Christmas came with all its yummy foods. To my great joy, I was appalled and not tempted. In the spring my daughter and I went shopping. I fell in love with a pink blazer that was on sale. Having no idea what I weighed, I told the clerk that I needed an extra-large size. She looked me over and replied, “You will swim in it.” She was right! I left the shop in a state of awe. I had done what I had been told would be impossible. Stepping on the scale at the doctor’s office a month later, I surprised everyone with a weight of 135 lbs.
Today, I own a scale and I am still a very sensible eater. I love clothes now and maintain a healthy weight. I own a treadmill and walk almost every day which made a huge difference in my recovery after heart surgery six years ago. In closing, I offer a well-loved quote “the Lord helps those who help themselves.” So, do yourself a favor and do just that.
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