What You Learn In a Hospital

Sorry for my absence. I spent the past few days with a family member who is in ICU. After a couple of shaky days and a downright scary morning yesterday, things seem to be headed in the right direction now ... knock on wood.

I had a great deal of time to think in the wee hours of darkness. Here's what I thought about. (Well, some of it. Goodness knows you don't want to know all that goes on in this head!)

1. Healthy = Movement. You cannot be healthy without moving. Your body needs to move because there is much danger in being still. Lungs fill up with fluid. Kidneys don't function. Muscles disintegrate.

2. Prior Movement = Prolonged Wellness. Hard work and a fit body serve you well into old age. They give you the foundation to fight the things that come with your "golden" years. I walked into the hospital with my 85-year-old uncle yesterday morning, who was a letter carrier for decades, and I'm here to tell you: All that walking served him WELL! Hunched over, shuffling old man? Hell, no! It all adds up and while it's never too late to start, starting now is better than starting tomorrow.

3. Movement = More Movement. The more you do it, the more you can do it. Does that make sense? Joints without activity get stiff and sore. Muscles that are not challenged are muscles that disappear. The more you move now, the more you can move tomorrow.

4. Movement = Physical and Mental Benefits. Movement calms you when you are nervous or uncomfortable. (Thank goodness for long, empty hospital hallways!) Movement clears your head when everything seems out of whack. (My mom walked into the hospital room today after a couple of long days, good night's sleep and a 2-mile walk and proclaimed, "Oh! I feel like a new person!")

5. Cliff Bar and Peanut M&M's at 10 p.m. = Dinner ... but they probably shouldn't.

Oh, and ...
6. Everyone Should Have One of These: 

Blanket Warmer