Frozen Extremities or a Warm Heart
I recently returned from Evanston after a weekend spent celebrating my now ten-year-old granddaughter.
I loved being with my Hauser family. Living 1200 miles away for most of the year, I forget (or probably repress) how fulfilled I feel in their midst. I was able to witness Maya’s athletic prowess, her creative skills, intelligence, and kind heart.
I cherish my deep relationships in Florida. Our friends have been my family for the past twenty years. My daughter and son moved away for college and chose not to return to their hometown. College does that for kids. They get the chance to try on independence in a new locale, and often find that the new environs suit them. And parents must let them go to discover their own lives and purposes. But it’s hard (especially when there are grandchildren!) So, my heart was warm from the close proximity with my peeps, but I have to say, my body was freezing!
Temperatures hovered between -1 and +7 degrees the four days I was visiting. But as the outdoor apparel store, REI, maintains, “if you have the right gear, you are good to go.”
And I did. Padded, insulated coat with hood; gloves and mittens; boots and thick socks, gaiter neck warmer, and beanie. I was good to go when David, Ru, and I adventured out onto the edge of frozen Lake Michigan for some ice skating (more like ice sliding as we were in rubber boots) and ice hockey (with actual ice pucks).
Frozen Lake Michigan
This gear strategy works well provided you are upright. Sitting, driving, buckling a seat belt, fumbling with the front door key tend to be trickier feats when swathed in multiple layers. Following our foray on to Lake Michigan, I defrosted in a warm bath where my body felt like it was melting into the tub.
Three Generations of Adventurers
Engaging in novel and new experiences is beneficial for the brain and spirit. And in light of the political and social divisions in our country right now, my spirit is craving hope and nourishment. I really enjoyed my adventures in the Windy City. It was certainly novel. As I age, I’m less tolerant of Florida’s withering heat and humidity. (Although putting on a bathing suit and flip flops takes a lot less time than donning layers of winter gear.) So, I’m pondering – frozen extremities or a warm heart? Which would you choose?