Keep it up

It was a chilly walk the other day, but not too bad until the wind swept around the woods right at Hershberger’s driveway.  The Hershbergers are an Amish family with identical triplet boys.  They’re about fourteen years old, I’d guess, and they are an energetic bunch.  We can look across the field and see their home from our back yard.  Sometimes one of them takes the horse and buggy out into the large pasture and runs at top speed in great big circles.  Not sure why.  Maybe they’re training a young horse in a confined area.  Or maybe its just because they’re boys.  Once in a while, I’ll see them in the MCC Connections Thrift store looking at CD’s and players.  They’re counting the days.

As I continued heading south, one of triplets drove towards me in a buggy, waving and grinning widely as he passed.  I can’t tell them apart, but they recognize me now.   I’m no longer the English stranger walking along the road.

I’ve wondered how long I can continue doing this, as winter sets in.  But now there is new incentive.  The numbers are in, and they’re all good.  Talking about my annual physical.  My workplace requires it if we want to get a small break on insurance costs.  I’ve been dreading it for a while.  I didn't mind when they poked a needle in my arm a week ago and filled the little vial.  It’s all the things the good Doctor insists on doing that gets me.  

The nurse took all the vitals and asked a lot of questions.   Then, just before she left the room, she handed me the gown with the open back, and says to change into it.  I know the routine.  That’s why I was nervous in the first place.  But why bother?  Before this is over, I’ll be standing in front of the Dr., with the gown on the table.  Dutifully I changed and sat back down, waiting for the torture to begin.

Soon Doc comes into the room, looks at the computer screen, and comments on the blood pressure which was borderline-high a few months ago.  It’s now in normal range.  Then we go over the results of the blood tests.   Cholesterol also lower, triglycerides down, and everything else in normal range.   I am thankful for the report.

“What are you doing different?” he asks.

I tell him about the fast-paced walking of the last nine months.

“It’s working”, he says, “keep it up.”

I assured him I will.

“Sit up here”, he says, pointing to the table.  

He looks into every facial orifice, then listens to me breathe.

Then he hammers the reflex area on my knee.  I kick - adding a little extra just to impress him.

“Lay back,”  he says, and proceeds to poke and prod my stomach.

“Drop the gown and stand here,”  he says, as he pulls on the dreaded gloves.

He sits down on his stool and reaches out as I stand facing him.  

Yes, I know, he does this all the time - it’s nothing new - but all I can do is stare at the ceiling, and wish this wasn't part of the exam.

“Cough,” he says.  

“Again,” he says.  

It’s probably a good idea to obey - all things considered.

“Good,” he says, “no hernia.”

Thank goodness.  "May I get dressed now?"

“Not yet, one more thing, then we’re done.”

As if I haven’t been violated enough!

“Doc, can’t we just skip this part?”

“No,” he says.

It’s over in a moment, and he leaves the room.  His gloves and my dignity go into the waste basket together.  So glad that’s done for another year.

Yes, I know, every time I whine about the atrocities of a physical, I get the not-so-sympathetic reminder, “Just be glad you’re not a woman.”  I am glad.  You ladies have my sympathy, and I wish you all the best.

It was great to learn from this experience that the walking is bringing better health.  I will continue - somewhere, somehow, but not anywhere on an indoor track.  I just can’t interest myself in walking on one of those.  Going in circles has never held much appeal.  Neither has peddling my inherited Schwinn AirDyne in the basement family room.  It leads a lonely existence, although I do hop on for a spin once in a great while - just to see if I can still ride a bike.  And it’s true - just like they say - you never forget.   The only excitement this generates, is giving the unsuspecting spiders the ride of their lives.  However, the sheer boredom of peddling without going anywhere is so maddening, I’m pretty sure the resulting stress cancels out any potential benefits.   

I really need to be outdoors, under the great big sky, breathing fresh air, and observing the world around me.   I need to experience the calm and simplicity of open fields and Amish farmsteads -  to be alone to think, and talk with God.  And once I’ve reached the 1.5 mile mark, even when tired, it’s not possible to stop.  It’s another 1.5 miles to get back home.  

Hopefully this may give others the incentive to pull on some comfortable shoes, and take a walk.  Start slow.  Add speed and distance as time goes on.  It’s gets easier after a while, and you will soon look forward to it.  The day seems incomplete if you have to skip it at times.  Not speaking as an expert here - just as one who is discovering the many benefits.  As God's word says, “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.”   It is up to us to maintain our bodies with a healthy lifestyle.

Leaving you now, from our quaint little hometown of Kidron, Ohio - an energetic Swiss community where the men are plain, the women are lovely, and the children will come back home - bringing their little ones with them.

Have a wonderful and blessed new year!