Sharona's Story

How many of us log in on Spark People every day and read an article, or several, expounding the virtues of staying active and fit? I know I read at least 2 to 3 but the question is how seriously do I take them. I saw a real-life example of how staying active and fit can enhance, and maybe even lengthen, your life.

I am blessed to work as a church secretary and, in that capacity, I get to meet hundreds of people. A dear lady who was a long-time member of the church passed away a couple of weeks ago at the age of 94. Now, that's a good and ripe old age and, I might mention, not unusual in this area. In the last two years I have helped arrange memorial services for several people in their 90's, two who were 100. and the oldest at 106 yrs. old. These people had their own particular ailments and problems but they stayed active - to the extent they were physically able - even at these very advanced ages. In fact, the woman who passed away peacefully at 106 went to church every Sunday right up to the end - and wore high heels! The person I want to focus on in this blog, however, is the woman who just passed on at 94. We'll call her Sharona to protect her identity.

Sharona was a woman who didn't sit and allow the world to pass her by. She was active in her Bridge club, a singer in her church choir, and loved to go to dinner theater and other outings with her various church and civic groups. What impressed me the most about Sharona was that she had started taking yoga classes back in the 1970's and enjoyed it so much, she became a yoga instructor. Now here's the part that shows her "Spark" - she continued to teach yoga until the age of 88. How amazing is that!

So, my "Ah Ha Moment" is this: I will not longer make excuses like "I'm not as young as I used to be;" "I'm just too tired;" "I'm way to busy;" "I'm pushing myself too much at my age." It's all baloney! I owe it to my family to stay in the best shape I can be in at any given time in my life. I owe it to myself to do this and, most importantly, I owe it to my Lord because "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" and my body is His temple. I need to love and respect it.

I will think of Sharona every time I start looking for excuses not to exercise. She has inspired me because I know that she enjoyed life to the fullest. None of us knows how long or short our lives will be, but whatever the length of one's life, we need to do those things that will insure the best possible quality of life for as many years as we are given. I raise my glass to Sharona! I will miss her.