Testimony of Healing May 7, 2012 Issue

Healthy and active on a family trip

Robert Bates

At the end of July 2011, I was planning to go on a family vacation and was very concerned about how I would hold up in the rugged hinterland of Canada. We were all going to be in a cabin, 12 people, seven of whom were grandchildren ranging from age 12 down to age two. 

I had been going to this cabin each summer for the last 65 plus years and had always played a leading role in the happy outcome of the adventure. But now I felt that I was not physically up to the strenuous demands of hosting such an active group. I seemed to have lost some of my stamina and agility and didn’t think I would be comfortable doing the tasks involved. I was mentally dreading what would be expected of me and what I would have to do, such as handling fishing activities and operating motorboats.

To make the situation more daunting, that year, for the first time, there was going to be only one other adult who had both the necessary skills and desire to help with the outdoor activities. Also there was steep, rocky, slippery terrain to climb. I knew I would still need to do all these things, even though my son would be there to help. In addition, I felt the need to do my part in playing with and entertaining the grandchildren—something in which I had always played a major role. I wanted the trip to once again be a memorable one for everyone.

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