Yes, up for air and it feels good. I once gave birth to beautiful babies, but now it seems my generative powers best create new diagnoses. I won’t elaborate, but the latest caused the need for lumbar fusion surgery three weeks ago and it was rough! I’m doing better now. I’m very careful with pain medications as I know the dangers of opioid addiction. And yet, they are necessary for recovering from serious surgery and serious pain. I’m weaning off, thank goodness. Bruce walks with me every day.
My childhood friend Bev suggested that I get to writing again. She was my first writing companion, and six decades later she continues to encourage me. I have some ideas. Honestly, what I’d like to accomplish most is an autobiography for my children. So often I’ll tell a fun story from my past and my sons will remark they’d never heard it before. The four sons range from 23 down to 17; the six girls from 37 to 16. With all my diagnoses piling up I feel I want to “get to it.” None are grave, but as I age I see how precious life is, and how very fast it goes.
We have six grandchildren now. Four live too far away in Ohio and Tennessee and I miss them terribly. Two are nearby and I see them frequently. We live in the suburbs south of Kansas City on a pretty street lined with homes built in the 1960s. At first I really missed the scenery of Fort Leavenworth and the vistas of our farm in Atchison, but this is perfect for us right now. Bruce and I have designed a pretty front and back yard on about a quarter of an acre. With my back, with both our bad backs, really, we have plenty enough to do. I cannot believe all I used to accomplish in my thirties, forties and fifties. I sigh deeply. It is now a different time.
I like being retired. For decades I ran from one job or task to another. It took cancer and serious illnesses to slow me down. Did my pace in life contribute to the illnesses? Probably. But that was who I was and I’m finally at a point in life where I can look back and be proud of myself. I know that I could only have done it by the grace and strength of God. I am so grateful for my life, for my family and friends and experiences.
I’m up, and I fill my lungs with God’s breath, readying for whatever comes next. Blessings to you all!
Suzy Cornflakes 
Suzy,
Glad to see you’re still kicking! 🙏 Hope you are on the mend. Wish we had a chance to get to chat sometime.
I was back in Maryland this past May to honor my old Friend & former Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore Colts, Hunter Smith as he was inducted into the Maryland Athletic Trainer’s Association HOF. Hunter was 1 of the Founding Fathers of the MATA along with others all the way back in 1980. We met at Towson State University and established the organization then. Hunter took over for me when I resigned as Head Athletic Trainer from the Colts after we moved to Indy in 1984. Also had a small reunion of some if my old TSM Staff. It was good to see them again. Towson & Baltimore have sure changed & traffic is worse than ever. Glad I don’t have to face that anymore. That’s it for tonight!
Be well and thrive!
Peace ✌
“The secret of the care of the patient is caring for the patient.”
JOHN LOPEZ , AT – Ret.
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John,
What a gift to hear from you, and yes we should talk soon! I am both mending and kicking! I’m glad to hear that you were in Maryland and yes, it has changed and gotten busier. How fun for you to meet up with so many old colleagues and friends. I’m blown away with how fast time flies. I may write about that. I look forward to catching up with you.
Lots of love,
Suzy
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