Day 958

Today, the Goldens are eagerly awaiting the return of their boy as he heads home from a walk on the frozen lake. I was able to capture this moment because, I, too. had ventured onto the lake. My absolute first step went through the ice and my walk of shame back to the deck allowed me to take a rather soggy photo! It was worth it!

As Jimmy continued his adventure, I await a call from one of my daughters, letting me know her trip down an icy course…solo on a skeleton was successful! Yesterday, she and her husband rode a bobsled down the same mountain in Whistler, Canada, accompanied by an Olympic champion. The real question is not “How did you get those gray hairs?” but “Where did my sense of adventure go?”

Admittedly, the level of adventures in my life has been far less exciting than those of my children. Still…I certainly enjoyed mountain biking down a mountain and roller blading with absolute abandon in my time. The way I see it is there might be two different answers.

First, as my age moves along life’s continuum, I am more aware of possible injuries. Not bouncing back from “bouncing” along hard surfaces as quickly enters the equation. Head injuries (I have had more than my share!) are my biggest fear!

Secondly, and I believe this is true for most of us, as we tuck more and more adventures in our pockets, those experiences tend to morph into something less dangerous and more heartfelt. My sense of adventure now typically has a Golden walking by my side!

Whether you are flying down an icy mountain run or adventuring into the ICU with a Therapy Dog to support staff at the local hospital, both can give you a thrill…except the latter doesn’t add gray hairs to your head!