When I was younger, I remember wondering why older people would wish for things like health around the holidays. Why waste a good Christmas wish on something as boring as ‘health’ when there were so many exciting toys, gadgets and games to be had? I can recall hearing more than one mom confidently saying, “I don’t need anything, I’m just glad that everybody’s healthy.” Yawn.
Fast forward to adulthood and I suddenly understand why health should be at the top of our holiday wish lists. With childhood behind us, health truly does become a gift to be cherished. We can no longer take for granted that we, and those around us, will wake up each day at 100 percent power, ready to take on the world. In the past month alone, three of my closest friends have either ended up in the hospital or dealt with a medical scare. The issues aren’t mundane either, like the sinus infections or sprained wrists we all know how to deal with. There are medical mysteries, invasive procedures, and elaborate tests being undertaken.
I know that the medical issues will only continue to appear over the coming years. My friends and I are only in our late 20’s—the possibilities for health problems are, unfortunately, only just beginning. On top of taking care of our own health, we can look forward to looking after aging parents and obsessing over our children’s every sniffle and sneeze. There will be periods where it seems like everyone around us is ill. And then there will be periods where everyone is bright eyed, rosy cheeked and the picture of wellness. Those times, I will say thanks for having everybody around me be healthy. And I’ll wish only for continued good health.
Tags: health, introspection
