Swinging to the 60’s

Today I stopped to pass a moment with an old friend. Not a friend I’ve known a long time, but truly an old friend. I have several new old friends who have recently come into my life by way of a somewhat unexpected involvement in a program at my health club.

Silver Sneakers is an exercise/workout program designed for senior citizens and the costs involved are paid through health insurance. This is truly a wonderful thing. Men and women who would not have considered joining a club or exercising in a social setting are flocking to these workouts in droves. For many, this is the first experience into the world of aerobic/cardio fitness training. Most are referred by their doctors.

I was asked to assist in two of the sessions a week and quickly accepted as I am so inspired being around these wonderful people. There are some there on oxygen, a few with Parkinsons’, one lady recently lost an arm to diabetes, many have suffered heart attacks or strokes, some are in casts and many use walkers. I have not yet met one who is short on smiles or laughter.

They are so happy as they arrive (some of them a good 45″ early), many in full-out makeup and bright jewelry. This is a social time for them and today found them excited about working in their gardens, getting new hearing-aids, a new and smaller cast on an arm, sharing a new joke (or an old joke…again), all with a smile and a twinkle in their eye. The music of choice today was 60’s Oldies and we all sang along to “Up on the Roof”.

The class is only 45″ long but it sets the tone for the rest of the day. I left this morning with an added bounce in my walk as I experienced gratitude for my relatively pain-free body. It would behoove all of us to sit in on one of these classes periodically – guaranteed to make us count our blessings and applaud our relative youth.

Oh no. I am now old enough to read that silver-haired folk are excercising to music I danced to when I was a lovely young thing. Is my walking cane far behind? I loved this entry! Life is GOOD patalija, and we ought to enjoy it to the very last drop. Thanks for the inspiration today.

I’m certainly enjoying my relatively pain free body again. 🙂 This sounds like an excellent alternative to O.T. It sounds more like a Florida winter than a west coast spring. 🙂

MJ+

May 28, 2003

You have this way of showing up every time I have completely given up on you.

What a great idea — those health insurance companies probably save bundles by paying for their clients to be more fit.

Wonderful : ) This was so nice to read. I laughed too because we have several friends ages 65 to 84 that sometimes seem like they can run circles around us. And they have inspiring attitudes for sure. Enjoy : )

forever in motion

Wonderful program and wonderful that you’re assisting. Also wonderful that you posted an entry 🙂

The Silver Sneakers program sounds like a great idea. Glad to see you back.

Little but Mighty

May 29, 2003

Great to hear from you and as always, I am grateful that I keep you on my favorites list. You always lift my spirit. Sounds like a wonderful program to be involved with. I have been thinking about volunterring for some time now but haven’t quite found something that suits me. Of course, it won’t just show up on my door step either, will it??

Spinster

May 30, 2003

I bet most of the insurance companies dont know what they are paying for. Hospitas especially are good about billing for stuff like that and making it look legit. Im glad you are enjoying it though. 🙂

gel

June 2, 2003

This sounds like a great opportunity for everyone involved. It sure is great to see you here again.

You, your note and now your words here have brought sunshine into my day. Thank you, dear friend. I’m so thrilled you are assisting in the Silver Sneakers program. I’m soooo proud of yoU. Love,