Seasonably warm with a not so gentle breeze is actually creating a bit of a chop on the normally placid estuary waters. This is a welcome change from the Seattle like weather we have been experiencing the past few days. This is New England's Indian Summer at it's very best. Feels kinda strange - this is the first fall in a very, very long time that I have not been spending my afternoons on the soccer pitch. The work at Ash Creek is never done, and the lives that we have been privalidged enough to touch are continuing to change in many wonderful ways. But truth be told, I do miss soccer - but days like today temper those feelings with satisfaction and gratitude.
We had our 4th session of Senior Z today at Parish Ct. Elderly Housing. Anna - our oldests not so old member (I was chastised by Meredith for using the word old when I informed our class that "I'm not going to treat you like old people any more! " referencing the positive changes that have been made.) Anna started a week later than everybody else - she showed up with a walker and a brace on her wrist and ankle. She had trouble taking her shoes off and did almost all of the Z drills seated. If you imaging the perfect great grand mother - very short, white hair, gentle smile, a light gleam in her eye, and a small golden cross around her neck, and strong hands - that would be Anna.
She arrived at class today with no walker and no braces. She was waiting for us in the hallway along with the rest of the class (ran just a bit late - go figure). We did a complete 18 point Z neural formatted as a work out with power breaths interspersed. We finished with eye drills and tension. The entire class stood for over 35 minutes. The only accomodations were the chairs we used to assist with balance and a book we used to assist Anna with lateral pelvic tilts.
When class was over we reviewed the homework for the next week and asked if there were any questions. Anna raised her hand. "I just want to say that I feel better than I can remember. I went to the doctor yesterday and he could not believe the changes. I feel like I am getting younger instead of older.
You are Anna - and it is such a joy to share with you what Dr. Cobb has shown us. Final strory - we had a guy on the Fire Dept named Hank Letch. He employed a very unique and descriptive version of the English language - He called most people Southie - or soul brother - or Seth, or whatever else came to mind. And he liked to eat - eat with a passion and an appreciateion that few others can match - especially if the food was free. When asked how it was his stock answer was "Best I ever Ate!" Not a lie - because his frame of reference was always in the moment - I'm eating it now - so this is as good as it gets. So what if anything does this have to do with Anna and Z - As we spoke we talked about getting old ... or not. Meredith remarked that she may very well be in the best shape of her life by her next birthday - and I can hopefully say the same thing. The tools we have gathered that help us with life and fitness make it possible to get better and better - not just stopping the clock but turning it back . So live this day - with the promise that tomorrow can be be even better, provided of course that we use this day well. Peace.
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