Gold Medal Living

Published in Tips For a Wonderful Life by Chere Bork MS, RDN on February 24, 2010

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55. I can’t even type ‘that number.” 55 – My BIG deal birthday. Bigger than five oh! How to celebrate? What to do? Birthday celebrations seem more important than every this year. Actually, living seems more important than ever this year. Jan 11, 2010, my caring and talented carpenter cousin Gary John Meyer (46 years young) accidentally fell 33 feet to his death on his first day of work. And, Jan 21, 2010, Gary’s cousin Karen Kay Warner (56 years young) ended her courageous 14 year battle with breast cancer. I try to remember life is shorter than I think. Two cousins dying in 10 days remind me.

Five years ago Gary and I created our Fully Alive Before I Die (FABD for short) lists, otherwise known as the Bucket List. For my 55th birthday I had to do something on my FABD list. Being terrified of heights, I asked Gary and Danielle to do the ropes course at the Mall of America. After traversing the first span of rope I was ready to be done. What was I thinking? Why didn’t I want to go to dinner like normal 55 year olds? I could be eating and drinking a nice glass of wine right now.

Twelve inches of air separated me from the plank where I was suppose to place my foot. I looked up at the ‘Rope lady’ who yelled,”Put your right foot on the cord and left foot on the plank.” I said, “No!” She replied, “Put your right foot on the cord and left foot on the plank.” I said, “No!” She yelled it again. Finally Miss Danielle said, “Come on, Mom, just do what she says!” I did. If I would have known the fourth level of ropes had nothing to hold onto I would have quit. Another thing on the FABD list accomplished. Yes!

Next on ‘the birthday agenda’ was to watch the Olympics on TV by a roaring fire. (Giant b-day fire made by the bridegroom) I am mesmerized by the Olympics. I can’t get enough of them. I realized the ropes course was my Olympics. I was really competing with myself, and fear was not an option. I kept on telling myself, “Chere, only 13 steps.” Doing this ropes course was like wining a gold medal; accomplishing something on my FABD list with 2 special people, Gary and Dani, and with a body that worked. Lucky! Or was it just luck? You get what you expect. If you expect gold medal living, you live a gold medal life.

Read more about the four components to gold medal living on my blog. . .