Just Had To...

I just need to get this down on paper, because it has been bothering me quite a bit.  Yesterday morning, I learned unfortunate news about a friend I knew from back in graduate school.  Unfortunately, his 45 year old son passed away due to sepsis from a surgery he had undergone. 

Yes, I know these things very unfortunately do happen.  But I feel so many different things.  I feel tremendous sadness for their family.  I feel shock especially since it happened so aggressively and quickly (less than 24 hours), and it gives me this hollow, nervous feeling as well just fearing about family and friends.

The situation left me feeling on edge all day yesterday and also so far today.  I thought that perhaps my writing it down here would help me feel less chaotic about the tragedy emotionally.  I feel so very sorry about the agony and grief they are having to go through.

PipeTobacco

Swimming

Swimming is my newest activity that I am being passionate about.  I have been finding time most days to visit the U's pool at the end of my work day. 

Now, do not get me wrong.... I am not going there to swim laps.  I am an average swimmer, but I figure my daily running and weight training is sufficient for trying work to be physically healthy.  When I go to the pool... I am going there for the mental health benefit....

For me (I do not know if others experience this much or not), taking a dip in the pool for 20-30 minutes feels to me as if I am able to wash away the stressors of the day.  When I get in the pool and walk around or float around, submerging often under the water..... it feels psychologically and emotionally cleansing. 

I made the connection of how the pool effects me emotionally during the Summer, when I went just because it was a hot, sweaty, Summer day.  But the way it helped me to feel more refreshed and more whole mentally and emotionally..... it initially took me by surprise.... but it encouraged me to keep coming back regularly.  Since the Fall Semester started.... I have been to the pool every weekday and usually at least one of the days on the weekend. 

I don't really do much in the pool.... I just bobble around.... going under water or floating...... but.... wow.... such a good thing for my mental/emotional well being. 

PipeTobacco

While I was Away....

I have been off from my posting for a while for two primary reasons:

1.  My wife came down with a severe case of pneumonia and this has been worrisome and troublesome and necessitated me to improve my efficiency of time usage to be able to take over several duties in the household. 

2.  I have been working through some emotions about a lot of things that have been bothering me.  These are all emotions and situations you have heard me talk and sometimes rant about before, so you haven't missed anything.... but I believe I have made a few changes of myself that I *think* may be substantial.  I will be trying to write these out over the next several weeks. 

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My wife still has pneumonia.... but it seems to have stabilized at this point, so I think we are on an upswing.  Therefore, I believe I am at a point where I can post regularly again.

PipeTobacco