Here on the East Coast a sign that summer is fading is the constant music of the tree cicadas awaking us in the morning and serenading us at night.
In spite of this signaling of the beginning of the end of summer, I could think of no better song with which to exit the season.
The chorus of the roaring boats cutting through the water, our New England buoy bell clanging in the breeze and the cicadas.
What a symphony! When one of my children moved to Los Angeles, I walked around with a microphone and taped this chorus to remind them of home.
These melodies are the one constant in my life here on the shore that I can count on.
Reality, though, brings each of us other events that are surprises and are certainly more difficult to deal with than the changing of the seasons.
I won a small gold trophy for placing third in the 5K Lance Armstrong Race in South Beach, Florida.
A vegetarian, never on medication, always fit and defying my chronological age, I felt invincible.
Then I woke up one morning and could hardly get out of bed.
Every muscle and joint in my body ached as if I had done hard labor the day before.
Overnight my active life as I had known it disappeared.
I was eventually diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
PMR is a condition that causes severe morning stiffness, usually affecting women around 50 or older.
The cause of PMR is not known.
Some scientists think the illness may be at least partly inherited and others believe that is caused by a virus.
Since it came overnight and I have no history in my family of the disease, I personally suspect a stress- related virus.
After two years in 50% of the people it just goes away.
I hope that I am in that category.
My purpose in sharing my battle with PMR and my inability to accept a negative change in my life, and to for the first time in my life, not be in control of my health and body, is to touch those of my readers who may also be struggling with change and control in their lives.
Your change may not be health related, but be assured that if you recognize those situations you do have control over, the battle is more than half won.
Don't fear change, but think of it as another challenge that will open the door to new directions and strengths.
In spite of this signaling of the beginning of the end of summer, I could think of no better song with which to exit the season.
The chorus of the roaring boats cutting through the water, our New England buoy bell clanging in the breeze and the cicadas.
What a symphony! When one of my children moved to Los Angeles, I walked around with a microphone and taped this chorus to remind them of home.
These melodies are the one constant in my life here on the shore that I can count on.
Reality, though, brings each of us other events that are surprises and are certainly more difficult to deal with than the changing of the seasons.
I won a small gold trophy for placing third in the 5K Lance Armstrong Race in South Beach, Florida.
A vegetarian, never on medication, always fit and defying my chronological age, I felt invincible.
Then I woke up one morning and could hardly get out of bed.
Every muscle and joint in my body ached as if I had done hard labor the day before.
Overnight my active life as I had known it disappeared.
I was eventually diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
PMR is a condition that causes severe morning stiffness, usually affecting women around 50 or older.
The cause of PMR is not known.
Some scientists think the illness may be at least partly inherited and others believe that is caused by a virus.
Since it came overnight and I have no history in my family of the disease, I personally suspect a stress- related virus.
After two years in 50% of the people it just goes away.
I hope that I am in that category.
My purpose in sharing my battle with PMR and my inability to accept a negative change in my life, and to for the first time in my life, not be in control of my health and body, is to touch those of my readers who may also be struggling with change and control in their lives.
Your change may not be health related, but be assured that if you recognize those situations you do have control over, the battle is more than half won.
Don't fear change, but think of it as another challenge that will open the door to new directions and strengths.
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