Motor memory with some tweaks to respectfully acknowledge our changing strengths and balance ( recovery).! Our bodies are so smart! My daughter's MIL developed early onset dementia 7 years ago. While she lost executive function ( no longer knowing what to do with a fork full of food for example) she retained her swimming motor memory. She had been a senior Olympian swimmer. I had to help her duck under the ropes and manage the swim ladder but once in her lane she would gracefully swim for a half hour, multiple strokes, flip turns, all from a loving body. And while tired afterwards, she looked serene.
Isn’t that amazing, Susan? Like the wonderful story of the dementia-incapacitated ballerina who could still manoeuvre her upper body into the required moves for Odette from Swan Lake when she heard the music.
This is not quite the same but when I lost my rightside balance, I was told my brain could be re-modelled (neuroplasticity) to cope with the loss. Again I think it's a form of instinctive survival - adapt or perish. So instinctive in some cases that we are barely aware of it happening.
I LOVED that music video! The creativity of people amazes me and that piece was mesmerising!
I also enjoyed those thoughts on growing older. I've recently had a very minor health issue for the first time, (knock wood) and it has certainly given me some food for thought. I appreciate all the perspectives I can absorb! As always, I so admire your persistence with swimming. x
Prue, this was exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you. Also, I had read Anna's posts and the words of Patricia Routledge, and I reacted to them much the way you did. This business of aging shouldn't feel so much like entering uncharted territory, since it happens to all of us who survive this long, but it still does. And I suppose it is indeed uncharted, for each individual.
I think the media tend to make us feel less as we age. OMG - wrinkles, sore joints, drooping boobs, forgetfulness maybe, certainly lack of intellectual capacity so they tell us. Then big business pops in to capitalise on our creeping fears with medicines and vitamins, plastic surgery and enhancing injections - all designed to prop up any flagging confidence.
But I think of our grandmothers, our mothers. Wise women who worked so hard to keep us all fed and watered, as well as growing their own food, making their own clothes and belonging to community groups to help others. Yes, they died younger but they had a mass of love and respect for who they were in their communities. They didn’t need cosmetic enhancers or multi-vitamins. They just were. I really admire them for what they represented. I hope we can have the same grace and dignity.
Prue, I was going to call you the Poster Girl for Swimmers but I shall now revise to simply - Poster Girl! You and your special booties and sinus-cracking dives are amazing. And I don't think you ever need apologize for touching the bottom (as it were, ha)! Loved reading all about Patricia Routledge, all that was new to me and wonderful to know! Fav bit, though? You saying "Bollocks" lol xo
Oooh, I say a lot worse than bollocks when I’m riled. Poor Cindy Hattersley said 's******w' on her blog post today and was reviled for it. I say what does it matter? Cindy is still a wise and informative woman despite it.
We all touch the bottom numerous times in a week, a month, a year and the only way is up, isn’t it? The phrase ‘rock bottom’ came from somewhere. It’s handy to know that if we stretch out our feet and push, we’re on our way back up again. Instinctive survival.
Poster Girl?! Pshaw. You need to see me in real life!!!! But thank you, anyway!
Beautiful. ‘You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours…’ So very true. You’re amazing for all that swimming. Brrrrr…. But I’ve often heard how good it can be for you. Protecting yourself with 3mm neoprene sounds incredibly sensible. Lots to love here. Hope that shoulder recovers ok, but I suspect it will take quite a while. Sigh…. Hugs dear Prue.
I'm a mid-60s swimmer ready to try US Masters swimming in the fall. Had a demoralizing appt. With Dr. This week when he said " swimming might be making your shoulder worse." Bah. It makes my life and mood better! Celebrating Celebrex and living well while aging. Thank you for another uplifting and helpful post. My 95 year old dad used to say "I'll sleep when I'm dead." Then went on to live well. ❤️❤️
What an inspiring post, Prue! I love reading about your cold-water swimming, and the quote from Patricia Routledge is simply priceless: her story of trying new activities and pastimes is wonderful guidance for me!
I just finished your friend Anna Belfrage’s very wise post—thank you so much for sharing! Her metaphor about leaving the highway…so true: discovering ways to slow down, and finding new ways to experience life and joy 😊
Prue, my friend, this piece is outstanding! You've woven in so many beautiful examples, not least of which are your own, of what it means to live at every age. Anna, Patricia, Joanna Macy (recently gone at 96), Andrea Gibson (recently gone at 49). and YOU are fine examples of leaning into authenticity and acceptance. "... it all makes me want to continue, but to do it with ease..." We spend so much of our lives swimming against some tide or other--and this is not to say we stop feeling the need to resist or to speak out against atrocities--that I think when we are closer to the end than the beginning (as far as we know), we see life more for what it truly is: An absolute gift! Beautiful swimming!
Loved the video, too. How imaginative! Thank you for sharing all of this!
Thank you, Elizabeth. I find as I settle into the rhythm of my own maturing (notice the word use there…) life, I cannot keep silent over things that appall me. I’ve got to the stage where, like Anna, I have to say so and risk damnation.
We have just returned to the cottage after a few days in the city and atrocious cruelty seems a long way away. It’s a welcome reprieve to just listen to the waves and search for yellow shells because this month, yellow is my favourite colour.
Motor memory with some tweaks to respectfully acknowledge our changing strengths and balance ( recovery).! Our bodies are so smart! My daughter's MIL developed early onset dementia 7 years ago. While she lost executive function ( no longer knowing what to do with a fork full of food for example) she retained her swimming motor memory. She had been a senior Olympian swimmer. I had to help her duck under the ropes and manage the swim ladder but once in her lane she would gracefully swim for a half hour, multiple strokes, flip turns, all from a loving body. And while tired afterwards, she looked serene.
Isn’t that amazing, Susan? Like the wonderful story of the dementia-incapacitated ballerina who could still manoeuvre her upper body into the required moves for Odette from Swan Lake when she heard the music.
This is not quite the same but when I lost my rightside balance, I was told my brain could be re-modelled (neuroplasticity) to cope with the loss. Again I think it's a form of instinctive survival - adapt or perish. So instinctive in some cases that we are barely aware of it happening.
I LOVED that music video! The creativity of people amazes me and that piece was mesmerising!
I also enjoyed those thoughts on growing older. I've recently had a very minor health issue for the first time, (knock wood) and it has certainly given me some food for thought. I appreciate all the perspectives I can absorb! As always, I so admire your persistence with swimming. x
Prue, this was exactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you. Also, I had read Anna's posts and the words of Patricia Routledge, and I reacted to them much the way you did. This business of aging shouldn't feel so much like entering uncharted territory, since it happens to all of us who survive this long, but it still does. And I suppose it is indeed uncharted, for each individual.
Hi Tinney. Thanks so much for commenting.
I think the media tend to make us feel less as we age. OMG - wrinkles, sore joints, drooping boobs, forgetfulness maybe, certainly lack of intellectual capacity so they tell us. Then big business pops in to capitalise on our creeping fears with medicines and vitamins, plastic surgery and enhancing injections - all designed to prop up any flagging confidence.
But I think of our grandmothers, our mothers. Wise women who worked so hard to keep us all fed and watered, as well as growing their own food, making their own clothes and belonging to community groups to help others. Yes, they died younger but they had a mass of love and respect for who they were in their communities. They didn’t need cosmetic enhancers or multi-vitamins. They just were. I really admire them for what they represented. I hope we can have the same grace and dignity.
I adored this, Prue! Keeping one’s confidence may be the secret!
Mine flags often, Susan, so I think you may be right.
Prue, I was going to call you the Poster Girl for Swimmers but I shall now revise to simply - Poster Girl! You and your special booties and sinus-cracking dives are amazing. And I don't think you ever need apologize for touching the bottom (as it were, ha)! Loved reading all about Patricia Routledge, all that was new to me and wonderful to know! Fav bit, though? You saying "Bollocks" lol xo
Oooh, I say a lot worse than bollocks when I’m riled. Poor Cindy Hattersley said 's******w' on her blog post today and was reviled for it. I say what does it matter? Cindy is still a wise and informative woman despite it.
We all touch the bottom numerous times in a week, a month, a year and the only way is up, isn’t it? The phrase ‘rock bottom’ came from somewhere. It’s handy to know that if we stretch out our feet and push, we’re on our way back up again. Instinctive survival.
Poster Girl?! Pshaw. You need to see me in real life!!!! But thank you, anyway!
Beautiful. ‘You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours…’ So very true. You’re amazing for all that swimming. Brrrrr…. But I’ve often heard how good it can be for you. Protecting yourself with 3mm neoprene sounds incredibly sensible. Lots to love here. Hope that shoulder recovers ok, but I suspect it will take quite a while. Sigh…. Hugs dear Prue.
I’m a shareholder in Voltaren and panadol, Beth! It’s working… XXXX
I'm a mid-60s swimmer ready to try US Masters swimming in the fall. Had a demoralizing appt. With Dr. This week when he said " swimming might be making your shoulder worse." Bah. It makes my life and mood better! Celebrating Celebrex and living well while aging. Thank you for another uplifting and helpful post. My 95 year old dad used to say "I'll sleep when I'm dead." Then went on to live well. ❤️❤️
Do it or die! It can be the new catchcry. I am soooo impressed with your Masters swimming, Carol.
And as for your Dad’s saying, it’s a keeper.
What an inspiring post, Prue! I love reading about your cold-water swimming, and the quote from Patricia Routledge is simply priceless: her story of trying new activities and pastimes is wonderful guidance for me!
I love the idea of learning new things or at the very least, perpetuating old and difficult ones. I have a plan...
I just finished your friend Anna Belfrage’s very wise post—thank you so much for sharing! Her metaphor about leaving the highway…so true: discovering ways to slow down, and finding new ways to experience life and joy 😊
Prue, my friend, this piece is outstanding! You've woven in so many beautiful examples, not least of which are your own, of what it means to live at every age. Anna, Patricia, Joanna Macy (recently gone at 96), Andrea Gibson (recently gone at 49). and YOU are fine examples of leaning into authenticity and acceptance. "... it all makes me want to continue, but to do it with ease..." We spend so much of our lives swimming against some tide or other--and this is not to say we stop feeling the need to resist or to speak out against atrocities--that I think when we are closer to the end than the beginning (as far as we know), we see life more for what it truly is: An absolute gift! Beautiful swimming!
Loved the video, too. How imaginative! Thank you for sharing all of this!
Thank you, Elizabeth. I find as I settle into the rhythm of my own maturing (notice the word use there…) life, I cannot keep silent over things that appall me. I’ve got to the stage where, like Anna, I have to say so and risk damnation.
We have just returned to the cottage after a few days in the city and atrocious cruelty seems a long way away. It’s a welcome reprieve to just listen to the waves and search for yellow shells because this month, yellow is my favourite colour.
Please always use your amazing voice! And yellow was my mom’s favorite color every month. 💛