One thing I've noticed as I have gotten older is that my body takes longer to heal than it used to. This seems to be true for just about everything: cuts and scratches, bumps and bruises, colds and the flu. I'm dealing with the latter right now and there doesn't seem to be any relief in sight after three full days of aching misery.
The facts are that as our bodies age, our cells take longer to regenerate. Also, the immune system in an older person isn't as strong as the one found in younger people. I recently read that the flu shot and other immunizations don't work as well in older bodies, like mine. So it's not just a figment of my imagination that I am sick longer (when I come down with something) than I have been in the past.
This isn't the best news I could hear right now but it does make sense. As our bodies change, we need to change how we care for ourselves. I've never given much thought to preventing illness but after this past weekend in bed, I believe I will be motivated enough to make more of an attempt to stay healthy once I get back on my feet.
What is one thing you do to keep yourself feeling well and avoid getting sick?
Ten years ago today my mom died as a result of breast cancer.
Ten years. Sometimes it seems like so much longer that my family has been without her. Some days I have an urge to call her up with news to share before I remember that I can't. Ten years expands and contracts and remains the same on any given day.
Last month, I made this portrait of my mom through Bank of America's Everyday Portrait fundraiser. It required a downloaded photo and a list of words that you associate with the person you are honoring. Bank of America donated $5.00 to breast cancer research for every portrait made and you could download your own tribute.
I don't know how many words I came up with for my mom but I do know it made me go back in time to remember what kind of person she was and how she lived her life. I got to really think about her in a constructive way, sifting through and choosing adjectives that described who she was during her 56 years on earth.
We all expect to lose our parents at some point in our life but knowing this does not make it any easier. Many of you reading have lost your own mother or father and know exactly what I am talking about. There are no words, no preparations, no hiding spots to retreat to, that will lessen this sadness. Our comforts lie in the memories we cherish, the legacy we were gifted, and the way this shared experience binds us to others.
