2013 Ends

This morning I hiked in a cold pouring rain with my head "bouncing" from thought to thought.

The weather, though particularly nasty was my option to experience. I could have just as easily stayed indoors in the comfort of my house or office. Yet hiking allowed me to think about the coming Year (I do my best thinking on the trails), and what it might bring, hopefully brighter days then the year who is closing it's doors.

This entire past week has been a time of reflection, there has been virtually no business activities over the holiday. There has also been reminders that I am not the same as I was just a few years ago. Monday evening I was a "stones throw" from having Sue take me to the hospital, pain in my gut grew intense enough to double me over and send me to bed by seven P.M.. While I probably will never know the cause I suspect just getting out of my normal routine and not drinking enough water left me dehydrated.

On the flip side, last night I spent the entire evening virtually 100% pain free with no assistance from pain killers or drink. This after a day of dual trail runs and several hours of cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking firewood. Odd isn't it that a high degree of physical activity should leave me pain free, the first time naturally in two and a half years. It was wonderful.

I am also waking up often with almost one hundred percent feeling in my feet, of course a minute or two of walking and "Mr. Left and Right" dulls up but I'm feeling this is heading in the right direction.

With the feet getting better of course the hands have to bring balance by being as big a pain in the ass as ever. The cold weather aggravates whatever is going on and I need to be careful when the temperature falls under fifty degrees.

As this year comes to it's conclusion I will focus on those things I can control and try to forget about those which I cannot. There is much on my plate, no doubt I will feel pressure, yet I have gained a perspective over these past couple years which should help me to be a better husband, father, brother, son and friend ..... and after all, isn't that all that really counts?

Happy New Year All.

Mike