I was lying on the floor towards the end of my workout routine, at the part where the video calls for leg lifts while striking a pose reminiscent of a sultry singer lying on top of a grand piano. During much of the workout this day Cindy wandered about, not unusual, but with a vacant, lost look. I knew why: in the morning a companion usually comes for two hours, but not that morning.
I did not stop my workout to alleviate the situation, but she was now in the room looking down on me. That’s all I needed and started singing:
“If you want my body and you think I’m sexy … ”
Cindy’s vacant look changes to a smile, as predictable as the sun coming up. I smile back and ask:
“Well? Do you want my body?”
Cindy replies with an emphatic “No!” and then giggles, proud of herself for delivering a zinger. I feign a hurt expression and declare:
“Then what am I doing this for?”
The real answer to that is something other than enticing Cindy, who has been “incorruptible” for a few years now. If you’ve flown in a commercial airplane you know that in an emergency you put on your oxygen mask first before assisting the more helpless. Exercising is that oxygen mask for me.
I try to live what I preach on here for maintaining brain health. I cannot help but compromise occasionally with diet, because Cindy and I eat essentially the same thing. On the one hand I make sure we eat well, but on the other hand I don’t want to deprive her of ice cream or other treats as the close of this chapter draws near. I cannot help but compromise occasionally with stress because, well, I’m in a stressful situation. Fortunately, my upbeat nature helps to keep this down, but I cannot admit to being totally stress free.
That leaves exercise as the one thing I will not compromise, will not shortchange or interrupt. Of course, if you consider the type of outdoor exercise I used to get then the workout video IS a compromise, but one I will not compromise further on. I need to be this way for my health, which means I need to be this way for Cindy’s health. Exercise is my oxygen mask.
If you find yourself in a caregiver situation I suggest you determine early one what your own oxygen mask needs to be in order to maintain your own wellness in the face of a difficult task.
Almost five years ago my girlfriend was caring for her husband’s Agent Orange cancer and started running to relieve her stress. He passed on but she still runs.
Many years ago I worked on a surgery clinic. One of the owners had to stop practicing and was eventually diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers at age fifty.
We constantly hear of our lay about public service heroes but my real appreciation is for care givers.
Sorry it takes me so long to approve, sometimes I’m only on once a week. Thanks … and be well.