My turn in that chair...

Cold weather here in Alabama has kept me inside during this month of January. In reviewing my journals I see that it is common for me to do exactly what I'm in the process of doing now. Losing weight. It seems I've managed to gain a few pounds each year and by the end of the holidays, I somehow find the will to lose some of the gain. In recent past years, we've had mild weather that's allowed me to do my exercise outside. This year I've been riding a trainer inside instead. I can get in 40 to 45 minutes which allows enough calories burned to let me get on track with weight loss. Today, I did the prescribed 41 minutes while listening to my Ipod. Just as I was finishing up my spin, the theme from the movie Cocoon came on. It is a delightful movie, one of my favorites. The theme speaks to aging and death. It caused my thoughts to turn to my Mom. Without removing the headphones, I walked into the living area where she spent most of her 9+ years living with us and sat down in her little chair. I looked out of the broad picture window onto the lake whose surface was rippled by breezes while reflecting golden sunlight. The waters danced with light underneath a blue sky.

There was a time when my Great Grandmother Lona grew old and could no longer make the walk to her garden. Then that time came for my Grandmother Odessa. And now it came that time for my own Mother. And as I sat there in her chair, I realized that time must come for me. And I realized that time was approaching far faster than I ever imagined it would. It is a sober thought. Whatever it is that remains for me to do, time should not be wasted. Nor should I in haste expend all my effort in some futile attempt to forestall the inevitable. Rather I want to have a Buddhist-like mind and savor the here and now.