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“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.” –Anonymous
I’m very private. I’ve always been uncomfortable talking about my personal life. Today I’m stepping out of my comfort zone.
It’s been 15 years since I’ve spoken with my father.
For those who know me, you know why. For those who don’t, read on.
Summertime gets me thinking about growing up, family, and just life in general. So, as I sit here, I’m thinking about having a conversation with my dad. What would I say? Dad, you would be really proud of your grandchildren. They have grown from little girls and boys into smart, funny, responsible adults. Do you remember playing catch in the backyard with Denny, Rusty, and me? And coaching our Little League teams? It’s funny how in my mind, I can still smell the freshly cut grass and hear the baseball smacking your glove. I was thinking about some of the best times we had out on the lake in our dry-rotted, old Chris Craft — a life lesson that it’s not money that truly makes you rich. I wanted to thank you for sitting through endless football games, basketball games, tennis matches, and track meets while I was in high school. I think now they call it “positive involvement” by parents. Back then they just called it being a good dad. I want to tell you that it’s not fair that you lost your youngest son in an accident. Sometimes I still sit at Rusty’s gravesite, where he will be forever 18, and think about the great times we had. I’m sorry you missed Sara’s wedding. She was stunning. And by the way, your grandson-in-law is a good guy — you would like him. And guess what? You’re a great grandfather! Sara and Jeremy just had a beautiful baby boy. His name is Jack, and I wish you could meet him.
Why haven’t I talked to my dad in over 15 years? For those who know me, you know that my father died in June 2007 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Even though he couldn’t talk for the last two weeks of his life, I was fortunate to be able to spend that time with him and tell him about my thoughts, my memories. So, as I reflect this summer on family and life, I want to convey how important it is to make good memories with your family and the people you love. Time and life are fleeting. My hope for you this summer is that you don’t wait to tell the important people in your life that you are grateful for them.
I’ll leave you with a quote by Bob Dylan: “ Take care of all your memories, for you cannot relive them.”
Dad, we haven’t spoken for over 15 years, so I haven’t been able to tell you all of these things. I just wanted you to know.
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Live Longer and Stronger CHANGING THE SCOPE OF EXERCISE immune system, and it strengthens your arms, legs/knees, and balance. Mycobacterium vaccae, which is a bacteria commonly found in gardening soil, can alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and even psoriasis.
Your body undergoes a variety of changes over the years, many of which are degenerative and can be debilitating to your health. But exercise can help slow these age-related issues, like heart disease or high blood pressure, and even prevent them in the long run. Here are four ways you can get moving without overexerting yourself. Walking or Jogging Taking a stroll around the neighborhood or a few laps around the park can help build stamina, strengthen lower body muscles, and help fight against bone diseases like osteoporosis. If you want to sweat it out some more, jogging might be a great alternative. But remember to be kind to your joints: Walk at a pace you’re comfortable with, wear supportive shoes, take breaks as needed, and walk on soft surfaces, like tracks or grass. Gardening While gardening doesn’t seem as vigorous as other exercises, it is a hearty physical activity. Digging around in the dirt is actually great for your
Cycling Whether it be in a class or outdoors, cycling can be very beneficial for stiff or sore joints. You’re able to get your blood flowing and build muscles in the front and back of your legs as well as your hips. Your arms are also strengthened due to the resistance of balancing your arms and shoulders to steer. Yoga Holding a series of poses can stretch and strengthen your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also helps lower heart rate and blood pressure and can even relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
For older adults, a well-rounded workout that consists of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility can help in many ways. Some can even be fun!
Did you know that there’s a “good” cholesterol and a “bad” cholesterol? Oftentimes, when we go to the doctor, we want to hear that watching our dairy, egg, red meat, and processed food intake has paid off and our cholesterol is nice and low. But, we can’t forget about the “good” kind of cholesterol because it plays an important role, too! High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the beneficial kind and is healthy to have, as it helps to combat the “bad” kind. In fact, high amounts of HDL contribute to a lower risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is a waxy substance and too much of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” kind of cholesterol, can build up within your blood vessels and potentially create blockages; this can cause your body to work extra hard and can lead to clots, strokes, or even serious heart attacks. High levels of HDL are great because that carries LDL to the body’s liver to be broken down and excreted from the body. Both LDL and HDL are linked to what we eat. What foods boost good cholesterol, and which should you avoid? Let’s take a look. Foods that contribute to good cholesterol: • Olive oil • Beans • Avocado • Legumes
• Whole grains • Salmon • Berries
• Nuts • Seeds
Foods that contribute to bad cholesterol: • Processed meat • Eggs • Full-fat dairy • Red meat
• Fried foods • Sweets • Baked goods
Keep in mind that moderation is key! Meat, eggs, and dairy are important parts of our diets and in small amounts are extremely healthy, but we run into health concerns when we consume too much of a certain type of food. For dietary recommendations, consult with your doctor or health care provider to develop a healthy lifestyle plan!
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We Can Do Anything, But Not Everything
ASKING FOR HELP WHEN WE NEED IT
We are only human, and that means sometimes we make mistakes, can’t get to everything all at once, are forgetful, and aren’t skilled at everything. Being human also means that we have others who we can lean on and rely on to lend a helping hand — if we let them. For many of us, asking for help when we need it can feel like we are a burden, chips away at our pride, and goes against all that we stand for. However, there is value and respect in recognizing when we need help and knowing how to ask for it! In fact, even extremely confident and independent individuals ask for help at one point or another — it’s an opportunity to learn from others, socialize, and build relationships. Doing everything all the time for yourself isn’t healthy. It increases stress, often shuts you out from the world, and is not the best use of your time and energy. Instead, here are some great benefits of seeking out help when you need it: Seeking help builds resilience. Asking for help from others often pushes us out of our comfort zones and teaches us to be stronger than putting ourselves at risk by setting our pride aside, letting our guard down, and allowing someone to provide a helping hand — or two.
Asking for help protects us. In life, when we take on too many projects, are overwhelmed and unsure of how to do something, or just ridiculously busy, stress is right around the corner if it isn’t already creeping up. By seeking out help, we are protecting our mind and body from overkill. When too much stress amounts, our bodies are at an increased risk of getting sick, and we may even become anxious and nervous. The more hands, the better! Not only does having someone else assisting provide extra manpower, but it also opens up the opportunity for fresh ideas and different perspectives to tackle a project or problem. Asking for help boosts productivity. When we come together to lend a helping hand, our happiness is increased on both ends. It feels good to be needed, and receiving assistance helps to assure us that we are loved and cared for. The next time you need help, don’t think twice about asking! Getting assistance is healthy and natural — it’s part of being human. We can’t always do it all! Seeking help increases happiness all around.
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Check-up. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com.
• Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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What’s Inside? 1 An Open Letter to My Dad
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Simple Yet Effective Ways to Work out
Did You Know?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Helpful Resources
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4 Reasons to Start Golfing This Summer
Golf is an enjoyable sport that anyone can participate in regardless of experience, ability, and age. There’s nothing quite like teeing off on the first hole after a difficult week of work. Though it can certainly be frustrating at times, golf is a fun sport with many amazing perks. Reading the following benefits will make you want to head to your local course, even if you’re not a regular golfer. It’s great exercise. Playing a full 18 holes of golf can be exhausting and for good reason. Swinging a golf club works your forearms, core, shoulders, and back muscles. If you choose to walk the course, you’ll be getting in a great workout as the average course length is about 4 miles. You can also carry your golf bag for an even better workout. 4 Great Benefits of Golf
It builds character. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned golfer or on the course for the first time, you are not going to have a perfect round. You may miss a putt or end up in the sand trap, but you decide how you react to the situation. You can get mad and potentially play worse or understand that everything is not always going to work out in golf. That lesson can even be applied to your everyday life. It’ll draw you outside. Most of us can use some additional time outdoors, and golf provides the perfect opportunity. Between rolling hills, picturesque ponds, and lush trees, the golf course is a beautiful setting. Even if you’re playing poorly, you can still enjoy being outside for a few hours out of your day. It’s fun for the entire family. Golf isn’t just for businessmen. Anyone can find enjoyment in the game. It can be a great weekend activity for the entire family or the perfect bonding experience between relatives. There are par 3 courses across the country that offer an easier experience for new golfers, and you can always play nine holes instead of 18 to cut down on time and conserve energy.
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