Glamping

My husband John and I had just landed at Hopkins airport in Cleveland from a 2 ½ week trip to Florida, and as we blearily got off the plane and stumbled toward baggage, John said, “You know, I feel a bit traumatized.”  I too felt “a bit traumatized.”  The previous 2 ½ weeks very clearly showed us that our bodies had aged, and we could no longer pretend we could do what we used to do. 

Our adventure started out with glamping in Everglades National Park with our daughter Lizzy. We were all very excited about it. Glamping is the idea that one could be living out in nature without all the work and discomfort of having to pitch a tent and sleep on the ground. Some glamping experiences have all the amenities of a resort. Needless to say, our glamping experience was not in the least resort-like. 

We checked in and went to our tent which was pitched over a floor. The whole setup reminded me of girl scout camp complete with the toilets and bath house about 2 football fields away. It was also cold. The lows were in the mid- forties which for south Florida is rare. The only provision given for the cold temperatures was an extra blanket. Therefore, my sleeping attire consisted of leggings, sweatpants, two long sleeved shirts, an REI compressible down jacket and a knit cap under 3 blankets. We were ecstatic when the lows climbed into the 50s.  

And then, of course, we had to walk about two football fields to the bathroom which during the day wasn’t so bad, but at night, it was rough. Getting up and walking 200 yards to relieve oneself at 2am… and 4am…and 6am in the freezing cold wasn’t an exciting adventure, it was just hard. 

After 3 nights of glamping, we moved to a resort on Key Largo which, we all decided was more our speed. The resort was lovely and we spent a lot of time by the pool as the temps had at last climbed into the 70s. And all was well until the snorkeling. Being a strong swimmer, I went into the snorkeling with an air of nonchalance as we were taken by boat to the coral reef, were given life jackets, snorkels and even a noodle, and then told to hop on in. So, into the ocean I went, and my nonchalance immediately disappeared as I worked to swim in 68-degree water to the coral reef a good 100 yards away.   

Huffing and puffing through my snorkel, I made it to the reef, saw a few beautiful fish in and around the reef as I became more exhausted. At this point, fear gripped me as I wondered if I had the strength to make it back to the boat, so I immediately forgot about the wondrous sea life, made a U-turn and started back. I was in the water for about 30 minutes with John not far behind me. Now, I am in terrible shape, but John is very fit, and he, too was exhausted by the experience. 

We went back to the resort and parked ourselves by the pool until it was time to drive back to Orlando to our son Tim’s home. We arrived at Tim’s house greeted by his lovely wife Yoly and our three gorgeous grandchildren ages 14 years, 11 years and 12 months. Many hugs and kisses later, we unpacked and prepared ourselves to babysit Josiah our just turned one-year-old grandson for the next few days while his parents went to work and his older sisters went to school. 

Now, 30 years ago, I cared for an infant and toddler all by myself while John was at work, and I don’t remember it being unmanageable. But now, caring for one infant at ages 65 and 70 took the both of us. I had forgotten how unrelenting caring for small children is.  It just never lets up. Of course, baby Josiah charmed us as he has during all our visits and we continued to fall madly in love with this smiling giggling joyful child, but it took everything we had to care for him. 

By the end of our trip, I was humbled and chagrinned as I admitted to myself that my body is no longer young and I no longer belonged in the “young” group. In nursing school, we learned about human growth and development, and believe it or not, the signs of aging start to become apparent in a person’s 30’s, and little by little, year after year, the heart becomes less efficient, bones become thinner, joints become less flexible, and muscle tissue becomes weaker. And on and on it goes with every part of your body showing the effects of aging without you even noticing until you go glamping and babysit your 12-month-old grandson. And then, you notice. 

It’s embarrassing to admit that I was surprised by this revelation. In my mind, I still considered myself “young” which is wonderful as long as I am clear that my heart, bones, joints, muscles, immune system etc.…are no longer young. My body has some miles on it, and it shows. So, what now? How do I live with my aging body that no longer belongs in the “young” category while still doing what brings me joy? 

I get inspired when I think of my late father-in-law Harlan who was a retired high school band and choral director. Music was his passion so post-retirement he directed church choirs and taught music appreciation courses at the local community college. But, when the effects of aging made walking even short distances difficult and threatened to sideline him from the activities that gave his life joy and meaning, he took action. He purchased an electric wheelchair and outfitted his van with a chair lift. This allowed him to continue directing choirs, teaching classes and quite simply, living life. 

As for me, I am still figuring out how to navigate my life as my body ages, so like Harlan, I can continue doing what I love. There is, however, one thing I know for sure. I’m definitely hanging up my snorkel and from now on seeing the wonders of the sea at an aquarium.