woman at the well
So, I have time this Sunday morning to think a bit more ... It is so exciting to have Ellen and her family so close by. The downside is that I really miss Karl - we must persuade him to move here! A four-hour drive means that Ellen and I can see each other frequently - I'm guessing about the same frequency as in Denver, with one of us going one way or the other. At first I though I'd be much more restrained in the timing of the visits, but what's the use of being close if we can't see each other? My grandparents (father's family) were so important to me growing up, I want to be close to my grandchildren as well. I've always been grateful that Ellen got to know her grandparents. Just think what we're missing as a society when people have children at older and older ages - of course, the grandparents are living older, too, so if we can get to the point that people are not just living longer, but are healthier until they die, more people can know their grandparents, and maybe their great-grandparents.

Aging is on my mind a lot, as I approach 50. I was going to blithly say that aging doesn't scare me, but the truth is that, while I'm glad I have the experience and confidence and skills I have now, aging scares me a lot. It isn't aging per se, it is being infirm. Let's face it look at the word "invalid" -- "in-valid." For years, I've worked on skin care and vitamins and exercise to try and keep myself as healthy as I can be. I love telling people I have grandchildren - invariably, their response is something like "I can't believe you have grandchildren." I used to mind people mentally aging me - when Ellen was little, people always thought I was about 5 years older than I am (which is irritating when you're 25) - but now, I know they are thinking I'm pretty well preserved for a 60-year-old!

But though it all, my weight continues to be a problem. But not any more! I'm reading a book by Dr. Andrew Weil, who says that he thinks it is better to be fit and a little overweight than just plain skinny. Since I can walk 5 miles without flinching, I think I'm doing OK. Hah! Take that, you size 5s! There's hope for all the short, round people!