Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year. I think that covers it. I have been naughty and have not posted in a while. Trying to shop, either on line or in stores, which I did not find as crowded as I expected. Is this a sign of the times? I love the holiday season as it brings out the best, and sometimes the worst in people. But if you go with the flow and let yourself enjoy the whatever, it can bring so much joy.

Each year at work, we adopt kids who live in a childrens center. We raise money by charging to wear jeans on Fridays and/or we select a child and look at his/her wish list and buy gifts for them. I love this part of the holiday and wonder sometimes why we wait for an excuse to do some good for others.

I also love shopping for gifts for my family and extended family. I love trying to match the gift to the person and love watching people open gifts to see the surprise and joy in their eyes. I shopped more this year than in previous years. I guess you could say I did my part for the US economy!

I found I tired more easily, had trouble shlepping (carrying) gifts up 2 flights of stairs in my house to get them wrapped. My back ached, my head ached and I was exhausted from working and running every where! But I had fun. I realized though, like I didn’t know this before, that I am getting older.

My mind still believes I am a teenager with boundless energy. My body says, no. Is this what I have to look forward to? I take calcium and Vit. D for osteoporosis prevention. I walk alot. I have not eaten right since Thanksgiving cause the holidays seem to be a great excuse for throwing caution to the wind, and eating not so healthily.

I get enough sleep at night though I am stiff in the morning. I slept over my daughter’s house and was not stiff in the morning and chalked it up to the old mattress I have at home. It’s 20 years old, what was I thinking? So that is on the agenda for 2008.

Everything ages: the mattress, which I will discard (is that a symbol for something or am I reading too much into this?). The roof on my 20 year old house is shot so I have to replace that also. I will have to replace that in 2008 also. Nice to know there are things that are aging along with me. Or is it? At least things can be replace. Can you replace your body parts? Are there parts I can purchase to replace my aching and tired body? Actually, there are artificial gender joints, hips and knees, that are available now. You can’t shop for them and they must be recommended by a good doctor. And they are for extremes, not a quest for youthful rejuvenation!

I have more sagging of my face now. Though the alternative to replace the face is far more that I can bear. I know, there are creams (which I purchase) and surgical procedures and injections (which I am way too fearful of). The point is: is it worth it to rejuvenate the body? can you do that?

Yes you can (they say). Good diet, exercise, positive attitude, good health care, can help you live even better, no matter what your health (that’s actually Erickson Health motto I stole for this blog). I suppose its true to some extent. But the truth is, the body, mind age. I don’t think the spirit does cause that’s the one thing about me that is still full of youthful exhuberance!

For now though, I think I will play Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind and say…..I will deal with it tomorrow…too much to bear now and am way to tired to even think of it. So Happy Holidays to all, Happy New Year to all, and to all, a goodnight!

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