I’m not too old. I’m also not young. I’m healthy most of the time. But not always, and maybe not as much as I thought.
The last couple of years have been taxing on my health. Changed patterns, added stress in some places, reduced in others, significant changes in the way people engage or don’t engage with a faith community, and what feels like accelerated aging have left me simply different.
In the first 8 months of the pandemic, I developed Bell’s Palsy. It took a couple of months, but I recovered from that. The evidence is still present in online church services from the winter of 2020.
A few months later I started feeling hip pain. After a few months of therapy the pain was gone. A few months after that I started feeling shoulder pain. Again after a few monthis of therapy the pain was gone. In both cases, I learned that the injuries were cumulative rather than sudden.
Next week I go in to have a small spot of skin cancer on my face removed.
I notice that it is sometimes more difficult to feel like myself. Most of the time it’s not difficult at all.
I also have great relationships, I swim regularly, get plenty of rest, eat well, take time off, and take regular vacations. I pay attention to my health — mental, physical, spiritual — all of it.
This wonderful journey continues. And the last couple of years have been taxing on my health.
Kirk Moore is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He's been a member of the Mental Health Network Board and is also a therapeutic musician, playing music at the bedside for patients - to help bring about the relaxation response to help healing. Find out more at therapeuticmusic.org