Daredevil

By Eilene Lyon

A few months back I told my husband (70s and adventurous) that I planned to get him a Go-Pro for Christmas.

“What for?” he asked.

“So when they find your body, I can say ‘Oh, that’s how it happened!’”

Fortunately, The Putterer’s latest adventure did not win him a one-way ticket to the Pearly Gates. But after he gets home from various medical facilities, there will be several months of recuperation and rehab, assisted willingly by Yours Truly.

He’s already reconsidering his outdoor activities of choice (climbing Everest was never on the list). That’s certainly his prerogative. His companion when the accident occurred is even older than him.

It’s great to see people who do not let aging keep them from enjoying things they love to do. I’ve known people who downhill ski practically to the very end—I mean in their 80s and older. I hope to do the same, frankly.

I’ll probably stick to tamer slopes as I age, but I don’t ever want to quit as long as I’m physically able to partake in the activity. Same goes for mountain biking. There’s no doubt that even with care, I may do myself some unfortunate injury (it’s happened before).

Life has its inherent risks. Some of us choose to minimize or protect ourselves from many of them. We wear seatbelts and safety gear. Others choose to blatantly tempt them—going mask-less and vaccine-less in a COVID world.

Some people race horses, base jump, ride the giant half-pipe, and other dangerous sports. They do it for thrills, fun, just because they can. I try not to judge others’ choices, unless they impact me (like running red lights, for example). In the end, it comes down to our personal taste for excitement vs. risk.

No one can (or should) make that decision for you.*

*Assuming you’re an adult! But please, get your jabs. Thank you.

Feature image: Photo by Emrah AYVALI from Pexels