I have always been very fortunate with health, so I am not complaining at all, but it was a bit of a shock to receive not so positive news. I had travelled all over the world, much of it on my own, and loved it. So when I found that travel, as I knew it, would be difficult, it felt like the beginning of the end.
It Really Got to Me
For four weeks I just stayed in the house. I was exhausted all the time, feeling a bit sad, and a little afraid of what might happen if I ventured out into the big wide world. I felt my focus had to be on my physical health.
But I forgot that health is multifaceted and I needed to take care of its emotional side as well. I had never been one for staying inside, always preferring open spaces, nature, lakes and beaches. Also, although I loved my little 400-year-old cottage, the tiny windows made it dark throughout the whole day. I knew I had to come up with a plan.
First Things First
So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I had to get motivated. I had to stabilise my physical health, go to the doctors, hospital, have tests, etc. Take the medication. Rest when I needed.
The hardest thing for me was accepting that my much awaited operation would have to be postponed. A few years back, while staying in a Buddhist Monastery, I carried sacks of rice (yes, I know at my age I should know better!). Unfortunately, I tore my meniscus quite badly, and as a result, I needed a total knee replacement. I had been getting ready for the surgery when the current health predicament popped up.
In the Meantime
I am not able to walk very far these days, so for now, I have to accept things as they are. In an effort to keep myself happy until life could, hopefully, return to some sort of normality, I decided to build an adventure book of all the things that I would love to do. Maybe not quite climbing up Everest, but there are still so many things to do, and places to see, that would make me happy.
I am fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world, so I decided to focus on what is close by, rather than flying halfway around the world! I started writing a list of all the wonderful things I could do for the next year.
National Trust
My starting point was joining the National Trust, which costs less than a hundred pounds per year. This gives entry to around 500 historical properties and delightful gardens including Dunster Castle, The Giants Causeway and Hill Top Farm, the home of Beatrix Potter. Car parking is, generally, free so even if I am not having a great day I can sit in my car and imagine all the wonderful history. 🙂
‘One Day’ Places
I added to my book many places I had promised myself I would visit… one day. Somehow that ‘one day’ didn’t happen but now here I am with a whole year to explore them! Durdle Door, The Minnack Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Lake District, Westminster Abbey, Exmoor, The Isles of Scilly. My list was becoming very lengthy!
My Book of Hope
Of course, the chances of me visiting them all is very slim, but the reason for making the adventure book was about hope. Hope for the future. Somewhere I could look forward to going, somewhere I could dream about. Hope that, even at my age, with some health issues, I could still find purpose, enjoyment and joy.
Life is not over until it is over. We may have to modify what we do, may need to alter how we do it, but that is the challenge, and, in a way, half the fun. 🙂 Whatever life has in store for me, I hope to live, really live, until the very last day!
Join the Conversation:
Have you changed what you do as you become older? Do you have a list of adventures still to do? What door would you like to open?
