I am a lucky gal

Yesterday afternoon, I was actually done with work at 5:30! I've been so overloaded these past few weeks that this was noteworthy. The sun was still bright, the skies were blue, and I celebrated by taking a walk. I took my canvas bag to the BIG grocery store, which is just a shade over a mile away. It took me half an hour, which is longer than it should because I am hideously out of shape.*

After hearing the good news from the CDC, I wore my mask on wrist. It made me crazy happy to be able to smile as I waved at the driver who paused for me at the crosswalk. I was amused by the little boys rather aggressively hawking lemonade from their stand outside the community softball game. (I still wasn't ready to drink a beverage mixed by grimy little hands, though.) I wore my mask while shopping, though. It's still mandated here in Illinois and I respect the law as well as the science. 

As I walked the mile back with my heavy bag -- not even Friday and most of my weekend grocery shopping is done! -- I stopped at the bakery for a chocolate brownie. I don't think I've been in that particular bakery in a year!

I thought of John and my oldest friend and realized how lucky I am. She's 11 months older than I am, he's 2 1/2 years older, and neither of them could have enjoyed a similar walk. Both of them require canes to walk any distance. With John, it's fatigue and trouble breathing as a result of (currently untreated!) congenital heart failure. My oldest friend suffers from severe knee pain.

I haven't been to the chiropractor in a year. As things reopen, I must return. While I no longer suffer those horrible, shooting pains up and down my right side, I do notice that I have regressed. My balance is off, I'm pretty damn creaky when I get up, and it took me forever to walk that mile.

But I am healthier than they are. I don't exercise, but neither do they. I don't smoke, like she does. I don't drink, like he does. But I eat too much fat and sugar and am way, way too sedentary. 

I must take a moment to appreciate how lucky I am and then be more mindful. Drink more water. Get back on my lateral thigh trainer, if only for a few minutes a day.

Appreciate what God's given you, Gal!

*It wasn't that long ago that I could walk 3 miles in an hour.