Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Physical-Mental Well-Being Most Important

 “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.”

The old saying takes on more meaning when one becomes of retirement age.

And it is a two sided issue, with both physical and mental health being important. Perhaps not equal, yet, they’re both key to quality of life.

All of the prestigious power, money in the bank, big home, fancy car, or even a champion horse have no value if one dies, doesn’t feel good, or has continuing doctor’s appointments.

This hits home even more as we’ve outlived our mother by close to a year, and 10 percent of our graduating class are now deceased.

As far as we know, we’re generally healthy, saying that a bit tongue in cheek as the potbelly stretches over our belt buckle. But, likewise, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

So, a birthday present to our self is a complete health check-up. It actually started several months ago, and three appointments in the next several days should have all areas covered.

Previously noted skin ailments, annual innards appointments, teeth cavity fillings, turning up the sound waves, extra specs to read at night, being even weaker than we’ve always been, and still tired when the day’s over, our health obviously isn’t completely perfect, but we feel pretty dog gone good for the shape we’re in.

Hopefully, test completion will make us feel even better.

Of course, food on the table, shirt on the back and roof over the head are essential, but healthiness is necessary to have them.

Still, we are often around those who seem to forget that health is what really matters.

Those who’ve had close scrapes with serious illness including heart problems and cancers, apparently don’t heed what seem obvious warnings of just fragile life can be, unchanging their previous lifestyle.

True, “a person can’t take it with him,” but being healthy will most likely let one enjoy it a lot longer.

Reminds us of Ecclesiastes 6:2: “God has given to some men great wealth and honor, so that they can have everything they want, but He doesn’t give them the health to enjoy it, and they die, and others get it all.” Thus, essential, Psalm 119:37: “Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

The Latest: