My father had high blood pressure most of his life, took pills in adulthood. Genetic, his dad died at 59. Though I did not inherit. He began jogging in the late 1960s. He said it was a unique experience, since there were no other joggers in South Bend, that he ever saw during that time. Funny thing was the only jogging clothes were white shorts and white t-shirts, was like he was running in his underwear.

I still do some "jogging", slow running, or old people moving. I love it, done since high school, every three days on average, except for a couple years here and there. Plus my spinal column is disintegrating faster than normal, and strengthening my legs and core help hold up my back. Take about ten pills a day, for various ailments. Just part of the schedule to keep what I can for as long as I can.

Two reasons I just keep moving on, my sister has had cerebral palsy her whole life. No pills or exercise will heal her. Second, my father had a massive heart attack at 65, died for 30 seconds, two months before retirement. Strangely his jogging up till 62, when he hurt his ankle, may have saved his life. Lived another 17 years, on 15% heart function. Painted landscapes for the last two years, after mom died, until the day he died. Saying to my sister, I am fine, just get me more paint.

Hope I can go like that. Although, I did not inherit his painting skills. So mine will be half priced. What was ironic about his life was that his best friend lived only 17 years, Ernie Korpal; him and his parents were murdered in South Bend by a serial killer in 1943. So my dad got 65 years, plus another 17. Hmm. Always sends chills when I think about that, and how lucky most of us actually are. RTC