LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Fitness |
by Rick Moore |
I'm so glad the holiday season is over. In fact, we just took down our Christmas tree last night. That's a record for usup nearly 2 months. We just didn't have the time. What a holiday season it wasno wonder people get stressed-out. I guess for Dave and me, it was exceptionally stressful. You see, my mom died just after New Year's.
I wanted to tell my readers about it because I think you can learn from her example. Back on Thanksgiving, we cooked a turkey at our house and drove it to her place in Maryland. Mom looked tired, exhausted, and worn out. She claimed it was due to the many medications she was taking. She was diabetic and was losing her eyesight, had high blood pressure, circulatory problems in her legs due to heavy cigarette smoking, and she was at least a hundred pounds overweight due to her lack of activity and poor diet. We knew nothing about the severe heart condition that was about to take her life, as she kept it a secret. She was one tough Irish woman who was extremely hard headed. And everything was done her waywhich was the only way. We had a big surprise when we visited her on New Year's Eve. She actually looked great and was in great spirits, too. Dave brought her two cheddar cheese burgers, which was what she wanted for lunch. It was hard to believe she was the same person, her mind was very sharp. She could remember things back to the 1920s and 30s very clearly. It turned out to be a very pleasant visit. It was out of the norm to get such exceptional Christmas presents from her this year, too. We always got the same thing, year in and year out. All nine of us (her eight sons plus Dave) would get the customary padded flannel shirt for Christmas. We'd make jokes about who would get what color. Instead, I got a replica of my grandfather's 1934 Packard, just like the one in the family photo album. My Grandfather always bought Packards back in the 30s and 40s, and my favorite photo is of him with his foot on the front bumper of the '34 Packard. "Surprised" didn't begin to describe my reaction. Dave got a replica of an old Cadillac. She was asking very strange questions. Do I like her new cocktail table in the living room, and do I want to take it home? How about that new sofa, did I want that? I just didn't put everything together. Well, we were about to get on our way, so we said our goodbyes. My mom would usually walk you to the door and then close it when you get in the car, but not this time. She stayed at the front door until we got out of sight of the house. Strange, I remarked to Dave. What was up? I got the phone call on a Sunday afternoon. Shock and disbelief was my reaction. My brother Bill said it should come as no shock because my mother had serious heart trouble. She stopped taking her medications just before Thanksgiving because the doctors wanted her to have another open heart surgery the week after New Years. Bill said she'd made up her mind that she didn't want to do that. She didn't want to stay in the hospital because she felt she wouldn't come out of it. She hated the hospital. She'd chosen her fate and she was going to live out her days on her terms. You have to admire that. She was in total control of her destiny and Bill said she wanted to get through the holidays this last time. She didn't want to ruin anybody's Christmas or New Years. So she kept quiet about the whole situation. She told Bill to keep it to himself and tell no one. She died of a heart attack in her sleep that Sunday morning. She was the glue that held the family togethereight sons, 23 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Telling Dave was tough. He'd been at the gym that day and when he returned I told him. She considered Dave one of her sons also, so she really was lucky to have nine. It was a nice funeral. My mom got her one wish, which wasn't possible until this day. She'd wanted a photo of all eight of us together. She did not have a picture of all of us in one place, not even at my father's funeral nine years earlier. My niece took several shots of us and one was placed in her coffin. It is sad when you think of it. It took this to happen for her wish to come true. So how does all this personal information affect you, the reader? Well, my mom became very inactive as she aged. She didn't exercise, nor did she care about modifying her diet. I truly believe that if she kept herself busy and physically active, she would still be here. The secret to longevity isn't complicated. Modify your diet, get exercise, and reduce the stress in your life. Many of mom's problems were directly related to her heavy smoking habit2 packs a day for decades. Her quality of life suffered greatly because of these issues. I hope people can learn from my mom, and not wait until it's too late to make changes in their lives to improve their health. Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates. Visit his club, Rick's Fitness & Health, in Milton, Delaware or www.ricksfitness.net, or call 302-684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 01, February 1, 2002 |