Continuing the Journey

This BetterU Blog is from…SHERYL!!

 

Hi all,

This, my last blog post, is truly bittersweet.

On Nov. 1 I have to go into the hospital to have unexpected eye surgery.  So unfortunately I will not be present for the most fun part of this amazing experience:  The Celebration!!

I am so, so sad, but I am still so, so happy that I was chosen to be part of this wonderful group of women!  I, like many of us, was thrilled when I got the call saying I’d “made the team.”  I loved the seminars that addressed the psychological aspect of being overweight, ways to eat healthier,  the camaraderie of the group, and the many, many tools we’ve been given with which we can handle “civilian life.”  There is almost 30 lbs. less of me, yet my life is so much more full!

Unfortunately like some of my team I did suffer an injury that prevented me from working out as much as I’d like, but I did make it for the final team trainings (i.e. the hardest ones.  Timing has never been my thing!)  To be honest I cannot say that I enjoyed working out, but I am so very proud that I was able to do what I could and I am so grateful to Brittany Geraci, who modified my workouts and cheered me on every step of the way.  I have now done some strength training and cardio, and I have a knowledge base of what is safe for me and what is not.  That means the world to me! I do believe I will finally get these old knees replaced next year and then, watch out!  You will see me on my yellow bike on that rail trail, I swear!

So my ladies, I hope we can continue our journey indefinitely.  I’m sending so much love to all of you and I’ll continue to treasure the new friendships I’ve made. In closing, I’d like to share my favorite poem that I’ve been carrying around in my wallet for over 20 years now.  I think it really applies to all of us.

With Love, Sheryl

On December 15, 1982, a reader wrote to “Ask Ann Landers” syndicated advice column stating that she found an anonymous poem in a crafts store in Minneapolis, called “Comes The Dawn.”

Comes The Dawn

After a while you learn the subtle difference,
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning,
And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts,
And presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats,
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn,
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…

That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth,
And you learn and learn,
With every goodbye you learn.