Why Be Healthy?

Not long ago, a friend of mine refused to go for a walk with his wife, my husband and me while we were on a weekend getaway. He said in a nonchalant and somewhat humorous way, “It would be too healthy.” He also smokes, pays little attention to healthy eating habits, and as far as I know, doesn't get regular exercise.

I've noticed that he seems to be having a lot of arthritic complaints and generally doesn't seem to be feeling very well. Hmm ….. could it be his health habits? Very possibly and most likely a big part of why he feels lousy much of the time. I would guess that if I asked about it he would say that he doesn't want to live a long life, that he wants to do what he pleases and what gives him pleasure while he's alive.

So that's the paradox actually. It may or may not be too late for this particular friend to reverse some of the damage he's already done to his body. On the other hand, it's possible that he could feel a lot better and do a lot more of what he wants to do with whatever time he has left. It's possible that he could walk up the aisle with his wife at his granddaughters' weddings some day in the future, instead of being wheeled up with an oxygen tank in tow, or being only a memory.

In any case, I don't think he's likely to change his lifestyle, despite knowing better. If he dies before reaching old age, and his chances are good for that outcome, I will miss playing Mexican Train Dominoes with him. I'm sure his family will miss him for many other reasons as well.