This Friday I completed my 22nd day on the slopes for the 2025-2026 season. After five days in a row my 90 plus body welcomes a weekend of rest and recuperation. So I think it is appropriate that I do a bit of reflecting on how fortunate I am to still be skiing and beyond that being thankful for each day of existence I have.
Here are a few of the things of thankfulness for just being a geezer and still enjoying downhill skiing with companions often 20 or 30 years younger. I am thankful today for the memory of the first day of this season when I felt tentative about hitting the slopes. Miraculously when I took the first run on the beginner's slope I had the immediate rush that I can still do this! On top of that, I knew I would be back in the groove as the day proceeded and on into the season. Thankfully that is continuing to be true. While I am often tempted to explore the Black Diamonds and even go into the woods, I am thankful to have accepted there are limits to the risks I should take. As someone in my circle has said, there is still a 16 year old mind in us that tells us to go for it. Therefore, I am thankful for the wisdom of age that controls those impulses.
Beyond the thrill and pleasure of being on the slopes, I am truly thankful for a circle of wonderful friends, family and spouse! The literature I read about super aging points out the great value of socialization for longevity. While skiing and working out contributes to healthy living for super seniors, it is essential that the mind remains exercised too. So I close with the thankfulness that I have my suite of daily puzzles that hopefully keeps me sharp. The New York Times Spelling Bee puzzle is probably my favorite and lately I have been able to reach Queen Bee status for several times. Believe it or not, I have the joy of doing the puzzle sometimes with my five year old grandson Finn! Another thing to be thankful for!
To my readers, I wish you all the best in finding multiple things to be thankful for.
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