I Didn't March Today

I made this poster yesterday in anticipation of attending March for Our Lives in New York City today.  I was unable to make the trip this morning.  Initially, I was disappointed that I couldn't be a part of this historical event.  However, as I watch the non-stop coverage of the March for Our Lives event in our nation's capital,  I know that this is what I was meant to do today.  

I am so proud of the youth of our country that are participating in rallies against gun violence.  I am in awe of these young people who are fearless as they go up against the government and the NRA.  The pain and anger they feel propel them into action.  They are not intimidated by elected officials.  They do not believe adults who tell them change is impossible.  They speak with confidence and clarity on national television.  They grieve together and inspire each other.

I am now watching Martin Luther King Jr.'s granddaughter with tears at the hope in her eyes and the response of the crowd to this little girl who carries on the dreams of her grandfather.  I can so easily remember when I was a young teen who was untarnished by the world of adults.  I felt deeply about issues of my day.  I, too, was idealistic.  This is the way of the young.

The top-selling book of my teen years was Jonathan Livingston Seagull.  It was a story of a young seagull with big ambitions. He was determined to be more than an ordinary gull. Against the conventions of seagull society, he learns to fly higher and faster than any other gull.   I remember reading this book often and being inspired by its words.  I remember crying tears of joy for Jonathan as he learned to do the impossible.  

Here are some quotes from the book that apply to these young people today and in the coming days, months, and years as they too strive to accomplish what others feel is impossible:

These young people are choosing the kind of world they want to live in.  They have learned this the hard way.  They have been on the receiving end of gun violence and believe that they can overcome what others feel are incredible limitations.  They believe they are capable of being the force of change in this country.

I'm sure many people view these young people as idealistic yet unrealistic.  They may not believe these kids are capable of making a difference with lawmakers against the NRA.  A few weeks ago they were just high school students, yet today they have organized an incredibly moving rally of more than a million people.  Their message is well-spoken.  They are young but it is apparent that they are very powerful.  They are united in mission - from all parts of the country, from all ethnicities, from all economic backgrounds - to make America a safer place.   I can't wait to see what they are able to achieve in the weeks, months, and years to come!

Bad to the Bone

I'm 58 years old.

I make no bones about wanting to stay fit as I age - 

mentally

physically

&

spiritually.

My determination is bone-deep.

Give me a challenge and I have to try to meet it.

When I was 50, I had my first bone scan.

It revealed that my bones were not as strong as they should be.

The doctor said it was probably because I am a petite woman

and it is common to have less bone mass than larger women.

I wasn't very concerned.  

We increased by vitamin D to normal levels.

I started jogging.

A repeated bone scan a 52 showed a slight improvement.

However, despite walking miles daily with my dogs and keeping active,

bone density scans at age 54 and 56 revealed more and more

bone density loss to the point of showing slight osteoporosis in 

sections of my spine.

I knew in my bones that I needed to do more.

I spent hours and hours online - 

boning up on osteoporosis.

(I am not a lazy-bones).

I knew I didn't want to take medication to build up my bones.

This is what I found:

The bare bones of the matter is simple.

Weight training makes your muscles AND BONES stronger.

For two years,  I have been going to the gym 4 or 5 times per week,

lifting weights for about 30 minutes each time.

When I began,  I couldn't lift much weight at all, but over time I

was able to lift more and more.  Each day,  I would concentrate on

different muscle groups.

I have also been active in other ways.  

I still walk the dogs.

I play pickle ball.

I play racquetball.

I do heavy yard work.

I have changed my diet too. 

I eat calcium-rich foods.

I limit my salt intake because when your body eliminates

excess salt from your body, calcium is also eliminated.

I take vitamin D and magnesium supplements daily.

I had another bone scan done last month.

I got a message from my doctor when the results came in.

"Great news on your bone density. It is significantly improved from your previous test.

No osteoporosis. Both hip and spine have improved.

Keep exercising and maintain your Vitamin D supplementation."

In just two years,  

I have increased the bone density in my lumbar spine by 4.5% 

and increased the bone density in my hip by 11.1%. 

It feels so good to see my efforts rewarded!

And the change is not limited to my bones.

The increase in muscle has enabled me to eat more

without gaining weight.

My clothes fit and look better.

(I wore a bikini for the first time in many years.)

The serotonin released when I exercise has made my

life better in so many ways too!

And for all of you out there that are still young and figure this 

is not something that applies to you - you're wrong.

The more you build your bones while you're young,

the better off you will be after menopause when you

start losing bone mass faster.  You will have more bone mass

to begin with.

Just as it's never too early to start strengthening your bones,

it's also never too late!

"To succeed in life you need 3 things: 

a wishbone,

a backbone 

and 

a funny bone.

                                                             ~Reba McEntire