Skated in the hockey beer leagues for years. Hung up my skates near the end of my 30’s. In my early 40’s, had some younger friends ask me to dust off my skates and come back as they needed a good D-man.

I did, and I generally did a credible job but completed that season and hung up the skates again. I realized that while my mind could anticipate plays, moves, opportunities - perhaps better than ever- my wheels were a gear slower and that wouldn’t change much no matter how much conditioning I did.

Then, In my very early 50’s I nearly died from a rare, incurable disease. It was a hellacious fight back from the brink of the abyss. But 12 months later, I was able to go see some of the desert SW and hike some of the Bright Angel trail at the Grand Canyon.

Had another major relapse in 2022 and have been fighting back from that for nigh on 3.5 years+ now. Still not in remission but progressing. Doing some gentle conditioning and seeing results - pushups, brisk walks on days the neuropathy doesn’t have me unbalanced, yard work, chores, working on cars, just moving as much as possible.

But my energy level is improving at long last, albeit immune system is not, but still glad to be moving and enjoying life.

As the late General Chuck Yeager (Ret., USAF) once said “what was fun at 24 is still fun at 64, you just may be a step slower!”