When Running Ceases to Be

Thanksgiving is marked by many celebrations. including the famous Macy's, Thanksgiving Day parade and the seemingly endless opportunities to view football games.  Couple that with an abundance of food choices and you have the makings for a traditional Thanksgiving Day holiday menu of events. Additionally, oftentimes there is a game of touch football or the local road race featuring a pie for all finishers.  Indeed, the bounty is as diverse as it is plentiful, but long before the tryptophan hangover slows you down, you might fall victim to the effects of Father Time.  Here's my story.

Starting the Thanksgiving Day celebration off with some sort of exercise has typically been an activity that many openly embrace, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of turkey trots across this land. Why wouldn't you?  After all, the calorie consumption per person far exceeds the usual intake of most other days.  However, regardless of the  amount of caloric expenditure, there is little many of us can actually do to balance that equation, but it sure makes us feel better about it.  Of course, the added benefit is the sheer pleasure of being able to join the fun.

Well, if you spend Thanksgiving at my brother and sister in law's home, the day begins with a light snack followed by a call to mobilize for the local turkey trot.  The weather certainly influences the mood, but little can deter the high level of holiday emotion.  We've run in the cold, the rain, ice and snow but no matter the conditions, the exuberance wasn't dampened.

Although participating in these events is a bonus at my age, running actually brings on a new meaning.  During a recent race,  I was running along at my customary and comfortable pace when I began to notice that the people ahead of me were getting further away and there were a disproportionate number of individuals passing me.  What was this unfamiliar phenomenon?  I had rarely experienced such a thing.  In fact, I was proud of the fact that I oftentimes ran negative splits ie. running the second half of a race faster than the first half.  But the epiphany moment came when the majority of people passing me were the walkers and families with baby strollers.  What had become of my days as a runner?  I was  simply enough, lost in transition.  I realized I was at my physiologic limit and even that wasn't quick enough to be running.  OMG, what was once a challenging run is now just a walk in the park!

Although I finished the race, I may as well have been the "last man standing", but it wasn't as traumatic as it all appeared.  I had participated in an event where people were having fun doing what they enjoyed doing, all the while working off a few calories before indulging in a few more.  But most importantly, I was alive, breathing in fresh air, and able to process the whole ordeal.  For that alone, I can give thanks!

Lessons from Life

I am truly humbled to be inducted into the Amesbury Educational Foundation’s Hall of Honor.  I’d like to thank the members of  the entire AEFI committee for their tireless work, genuine concern for the community and their ongoing efforts in support of the students and educators who benefit so richly from their actions. I’d also like to thank those who nominated me and wrote letters of support.  I’m honored to join such a distinguished group of individuals, and through your support, AEFI will continue their vital mission.

My class of 1974 is currently planning our 50th class reunion and this whole experience has prompted me to do some reflection.  The first thing that comes to my mind is, “where have those 50 years gone?”  It seems like just yesterday that I was embarking on this journey and now I am processing the stark reality of just how quickly time passes.  My education began right here in Amesbury, something which provided an excellent foundation for my future pursuits.

As you have heard, I am Dr. S. However, when I was in grade school and later in high school, I was known simply as Steve, Stephen, or The Schizz.  The real Dr. S was my father, a friend to all and a beloved family doctor to so many in this community.  

When I joined him in practice, people had difficulty telling us apart on the phone because our voices were so similar, so my father dubbed me the young Dr S;  a title I still enjoy using on occasion.  

My gray hair is a reminder that the young part is no longer needed.

From the very beginning learning becomes part of our lives, and hopefully, embeds itself as a lifelong pursuit. Oftentimes, we follow our mentors, be it a family member or a teacher or that singular person or persons who help influence our lives and perhaps even guide us onto a career path.

Like many young kids I imagined myself playing ML Baseball, or becoming a fireman, or a carpenter, but before long I just wanted to work alongside my father, so I set my sights on becoming a physician.  The dedication and hard work were just commitments to that greater goal, something that frankly never even crossed my mind.

I confronted the usual academic obstacles and managed to circumnavigate them with an unwavering resolve.  However, those experiences provided valuable insights for a career dedicated to solving problems and helping people. 

In fact, life is made up of an infinite number of crossroads with choices.  The road we choose is not always easy or obvious, but the destination we set should remain crystal clear. That’s what makes life the journey that it is, our personal adventure.

The practice of medicine has offered me a unique opportunity to serve people, yet it carries a heavy burden of responsibility.  However, caring for and aiding people in any capacity ought to be at our very core, regardless of what we do.  

Although medicine has been my life, my passions outside of work are my family, my friends, and regular exercise.  I once made running the Boston Marathon, a goal which I first did in 1986.  Since then I have been fortunate to have participated in many other athletic events, but my own love of exercise has transformed my ability to counsel patients about many facets of life including the merits of regular exercise, nutrition, rest, hydration, even rehabilitation after illness or injury, as well as the psychosocial implications that go along with it.  

When I consider the value of this to my practice , I am frequently reminded by its contribution to me, both professionally and personally.

Sharing this with patients, encouraging them to take personal responsibility for their own health and instilling hope have been mainstays of my practice.

Patients have oftentimes asked me what I was training for, and I’d just say, “I’m training for life!”

Regretfully, even with regular exercise, none of us will escape this thing called aging.  We simply must adjust our expectations and embrace them.  

The frequent participation in such formal events as the marathon is now a rarity. However, when the Marathon bombing occurred,  I like everyone else was frightened, angered, but more than that motivated to be a part of the marathon again.  I looked at my father and said, “they are going to need more physicians next year because of this and I am going to volunteer.”  He looked at me and said, "What a great idea.”  I just volunteered for my 11th Marathon and felt a similar sense of accomplishment, just as I had by running it in 1986.  

I am reminded that kindness and service to others are their own gifts, values I learned growing up right here in Amesbury.

I’d like to conclude my remarks this evening with a quote from the late, great Maya Angelou…

“People may forget what you said…people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

My hope is that I have made people feel better by what I have done for them!

Man, I had it Easy

Dear Lorenzo...Larry...Lawrence Arturo

As you approach your seventh decade of life, I want to wish you Happy Birthday and may you enjoy many more to come. Of course, as I think of the many years we've had together, there are such a vast number of memories that flood my mind. 

 You are and always will be my older brother and for that I am fortunate. You were a Yankee in Little League and we all become Yankees. You made it easy. 

Your Boy Scouting experience taught you how to use a Coleman stove which you in turn taught all of us to use.  You were the master packer for our cross country trips, each piece of luggage had its appointed place in the trailer and you made it all fit in like a puzzle.  You made it easy.

 You followed Jean, a trail blazer to Title IX, by continuing to play both basketball and baseball. That paved the way for me. You made it easy. 

 You followed Jean and Betsy to UMASS and then took me under your wing during my first semester when I had Leo T. Baldwin for a roommate. You introduced me to your friends, we shared classes such as star gazing, basketball, and Genetics together. You made it easy. 

 We started out in Guadalajara together and once again you introduced me to your friends, before leaving for BU. You made it easy. 

 You joined Dad after residency to "hold down the fort" before my arrival a year later. You made it easy. 

 You encouraged me to attend Molly's graduation from SLU during a difficult time, and that forever changed my relationship with her. For that, I will be forever grateful. You made it easy. 

 Now, with Mary you have welcomed 4 wonderful daughters, in-laws and grandchildren into your life and we all have enjoyed their presence in ours. You made it easy. 

 So, as you embark on this next decade, your 70's, thank you for being my older brother. Man I had it easy!

 Love you, Happy Birthday and enjoy continued good health and happiness for many years to come. Stephen

'A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.'

78 years ago today, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation regarding the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor, thus drawing the United States into the second World War.  Germany was already engaged in war in Europe, but full scale involvement came after the attacks of December 7th.  Anyone who was alive and old enough on that horrible day, likely, remembers it with uncanny detail.

Historical events of this magnitude rarely can be fully understood, perhaps for generations; however, the impact may define the future, and this was no exception.

On the morning of December 7th, many lives were lost and millions more fell victim in the years that followed.  My father had 2 cousins go down with the ships in Pearl Harbor, so it is with sincere emotion for those who remain known, only through the memory of this day and the stories told, that I reiterate what has been said so many times beforehand, we must never forget.

To all those who perished, may you rest in peace, and to the greatest generation who served, we are forever grateful!

Remembering D-Day...75 years later

We live in an era when the news of the day is nearly real time.  Long ago are the days when the reports from the front came days or even weeks later.  Today, it is this seemingly constant siege of information that has us, at times, overwhelmed.  This is the world we live in, a global community of constant news updates.  However, as the years pass and the memory of these historic events begin to fade, it is of paramount importance that their impact and significance never be forgotten.

I have read about the D-Day invasion and have seen footage of that epic day from WWII.  It always shakes me to my core, reflecting on the horrors of this war.  The human sacrifice remains immeasurable.

This is why we must never forget.  D-Day, together with many other now famous conflicts of WWII, changed the course of world history, and it is up to us to protect, preserve, and forever honor those for the gift we inherited!

https://youtu.be/qda__aFhR6I

Why?

Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, is a holiday that was created as an annual day of remembrance for the men and women who have so bravely served, defended, and perhaps died for our country; it is traditionally marked by prayer services, parades, and family gatherings; it is all of those.  However, Memorial Day's significance is far greater than many of us can possibly comprehend, so it is imperative that we all must share the burden of this stress that so many of our fellow Americans have witnessed and endured.

Having grown up with a WWII veteran, I was exposed to episodic discussions about the horrors of war.  Not surprisingly, however, many of those stories ended when the tenor of the conversation brought my father to tears.  Naturally, we didn't pursue the reasons, because we knew that "war is hell", and he had had a glimpse into that dark abyss.  He once said to me, "we had to go; it was a war that had to be fought."  Knowing my father, it was his sense of compassion for his fellow man and the love of his country that he would even have considered picking up a weapon.

Reflecting on this Memorial Day, I find myself wondering, "will there ever be a day when we all can live in harmony?"  I am reminded of the words from "This is My Song", set to the music of Jean Sebelius' Finlandia, and what a gift it would be one day to have peace reign over all lands!  Perhaps the more appropriate question then is, "When?" Thank you to all those who have made this sacrifice for blessed are the peacemakers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDXNHPeRB0k

What you are doing?

How many times have you said something and suddenly found yourself in one of those deja vu moments where you could feel that same emotion from the past?  As I have grown older, I find that these sorts of occurrences seem to happen more frequently.  Is it simply a matter of our breadth of life experiences or is it a reflection of history just repeating itself?  Well, I was chatting with some colleagues the other day and something struck a chord setting off one of those deja vu moments.  It was one of those precious lines my daughter would use that triggered a smile; allow me to explain.

Like many parents, when there was an opportunity to include my daughter to assist with my home projects, I welcomed the chance.  This provided so many teachable moments, as well as the infinitely valuable time of just having time with your kids.  It would be difficult to say who received the greater gift!  On one of those occasions, my daughter started asking me what I was doing, but of course it was said with the tone of a child, "What you are doing?".  I began to explain what it was I was doing and then showed her.  Seemingly, with each step of the process I'd hear her angelic voice query yet again, "What you are doing?"  It was then that I realized how genuinely innocent a child can be, and just how priceless those moments are.

We did many projects together over the years, and increasingly, she earned more and more responsibility, kind of a mentor ship program I'd say.  I guess that's what parenting is all about after all, isn't it? 

There were several other little expressions that surfaced over the years, but few had the resonating echo in my head that this one has.  I'm sure if I asked her about this today, she'd have very little recollection; but if I asked her, "What's happening?", I imagine she'd say, "Good", and that's how I'd know my little girl is still inside that mature, young lady!