Did you ever stop to think while doing something fun or challenging that it might be the last time you do it? The last time you ride a bike; paddle a kayak; ride a roller coaster; go whitewater rafting; climb a mountain; have a first kiss. Whatever. Why do we stop doing fun, exciting things as we grow older? I say, never stop! Seek out new experiences and continue doing the things you love. That way, you'll never have to say, "I'm too old to do that."
I had an opportunity to take this advice last summer while staying at Seneca Lake in Southeast Ohio.
I was sitting by the water, dangling my legs over the side of the dock, as I watched a man I'd known for years
– not a young boy, but not old, either – agilely pilot a
strange, bright yellow, floating board toward where me. He stood straight and tall on what appeared to
be a surf board, paddling toward me with sure, even strokes.
“Hey, Doc!” I yelled. “What is
that thing?”
“It's a paddle board!” he called
back.
I'd never heard of it.
It looked fun and challenging, but chances were that if I climbed on board, I'd make a spectacular, unplanned dismount.
“Can I try it?” I asked, tossing
caution to the wind.
“Sure!” he said, nimbly hopping off the contraption and handing me the paddle.
“But you'd better get on farther out
in the water, and don't paddle too close to the docks or boats. If
you fall, you don't want to hit your head.”
Hmmm. Good advice.
My friend, Linda, thought I'd lost my mind
as I hopped into the water, waded over to the middle of the little
inlet where we'd been swimming and relaxing, and regarded the long,
yellow board which, I'd noticed when it's owner dismounted, had a
long fin sticking out of the bottom.
Back in the day I'd been able to boost
myself out of a swimming pool using my upper body strength and a good kick. I gave it a try, and was absolutely amazed to find myself
kneeling on the board. I dipped the paddle into the water and took a
few, tentative strokes to get the feel of the thing, then paddled out
a little farther in that position before realizing I had to stand up
to continue.
Shifting to face the front of the
board, I got my feet underneath me, and carefully, feeling like a
newborn foal, rose shakily to my feet. The board wobbled a bit this way and that, but remained in the upright position.
When I didn't immediately fall in, I
felt a thrill of success.
I looked around to see who might be admiring my astonishing skill -- or luck. Shoot. Nobody was watching. I tentatively dipped the paddle into the water and
propelled myself forward.
I took a few strokes, working my way
around the nearest dock out into the lake. Standing straighter and
surer, I thought, well! I'm not too old to try new things!
Maybe I could paddle my
way to the end of the little inlet and back, and call it a day. Yeah, that wouldn't be too far for a newbie paddle-boarder.
At
that moment the board's owner, returning from a quick trip inside his
cabin, caught sight of me.
“Way to go, Anne!” he yelled.
And I fell off.
Well, pride does come before a fall.
My prescription sunglasses, which
weren't secured by a floaty string, fell off, too. I'd just replaced
them after stepping on the last pair, and didn't relish the thought of paying for a new pair right
away, so I dropped the paddle and dove for them. Luckily I could see
them gently drifting downward, and grabbed them. Surfacing, I
realized the paddle had gone one way, and the paddle board the other.
I swam for the paddle and nabbed it, and turned to see that the
paddle board was now a good 50 yards away, floating toward shore. No
big deal. I've been a lifeguard since I was 16, and am still
certified. So I'm a good swimmer.
However, as I began hauling my
out-of-shape self, towing the paddle, toward the board, I looked at
the life vest still strapped to the thing and thought, whoops. I'd
just broken the first rule of boating and personal safety. What good
would the life vest have done me if I'd knocked my idiot-self out
falling off the big toy?
None. I'd have joined my glasses on
their trip toward the bottom of the lake.
Feeling like a fool, I reached the
board, puffing, hearing the laughter of my girlfriend from the dock,
and realized I didn't immediately have the strength to haul myself
up. So I played it cool, floating for a few minutes and enjoying the
sun and water. Yeah. I meant to do that!
Then, with a Herculean effort and a few
curses, I hauled myself gracelessly up onto the board – if video of
this surfaces, there will be consequences for the photographer –
and found myself sprawled on the board out in the lake.
Determined not to let the darned
thing have the last word, I once again staggered to my feet and
oh-so-casually paddled myself back toward shore.
“Cool!” called Linda, snapping
a picture of me as I headed in. “Can I try?”
“Sure,” I said. “But wear the
life vest. I don't have the energy left to come save you if you knock
yourself out.”
She, of course, didn't fall off.
If I lived on the lake, I'd get myself
one of the crazy boards. An octogenarian couple I know paddles all over the lake on them. There's no better way to stay
young than to act young!
So take a risk on humble-ville! Try
something new.
But wear your live vest. No point in
dying stupid!
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