Entering a new decade of life is always exciting. I find it pays to have a good sense of humor when it comes to aging. Admittedly, there are some things that are not sources of levity, such as the toll that 70 years of existence has taken on my physical wellbeing. Suffice to say, my ancient bones are starting to feel a little wear and tear. No worries, I’m too stubborn to throw in the towel just yet. I’ve got plans for the future which will keep me focused and motivated despite any anatomical uncertainty. I am vaguely cognizant of the fact that people often make plans while the cosmic intelligence laughs robustly.

Life can throw an unexpected curveball your way at any moment. I had to deal with a tough decision this past year. After living a couple of years with chronic pain in my right shoulder, as well as suffering from consistently poor climbing performance, I realized it was time to take action. Trusting the advice of a highly respected surgeon at the University of Utah Orthopedic Center, I committed to having an integral portion of my body removed and replaced with titanium and plastic. Once done, there would be no turning back.

I approached surgery like a hard redpoint project. I lifted weights, did prehab sessions three times daily, fueled my body with extra protein and doubled my collagen intake. I took time daily to visualize every aspect of my surgery, always focusing on a successful outcome.

Once surgery was behind me, I began visualizing the healing process. In my mind’s eye, I could see bone and metal becoming one. I imagined a not-too-distant future where my emaciated right arm would become as strong as ever. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but was determined to do whatever it takes to get back to climbing and normal life.

Now I have a $65k titanium right shoulder, which in theory, should outlive the rest of me. So far, it feels pretty damn good. In fact, it feels so good that I’m contemplating doing the same to the left shoulder. I’ve advocated for a balanced physique and currently I’m feeling a little disproportionate. I’m going to give it a little more time just to make sure. My hope is to sneak away with a hard project or two, prior to going through replacement trauma again. I thank science for the discovery of cortisone and modern medicine in the meantime.

Overall, I don’t feel a whole lot different than I did at 69, but who’s counting? I do like the slower pace of things now that I’ve attained semi-super-senior status. I feel no need to hurry anything since I’ve got the rest of my life, no matter how long or short that might be, to savor every moment. If I were to die tomorrow, I’d expire a happy human; however, that’s not the plan. My hope is to live to see 100 or more, as long as the quality of life is still present. I love being alive and I don’t fear the opposite.

The uncertainty of death makes it an exciting eventuality. No one can say what occurs once the heart and mind cease function. My hunch is that it will be one of two possible options; an epic journey whereby we become one with the cosmos, or, there is simply nothing. I’m okay with either option, not that I have a choice in the matter.

We will be returning to Maple Canyon in May to camp host for another summer. Hopefully we can wrap up a couple of nemesis projects while we’re there. It will be a little odd not having our blue heeler beast, Lola, with us. She was a welcoming Maple Canyon camp mascot and beloved family member. We lost her to kidney failure in September at age 12+. It was incredibly hard letting go of our loving companion, however, she was suffering and needed relief. We plan to wait at least a year before acquiring another rescue mutt to share in our nomadic adventures.

Sans canine companion, we hope to visit the not-so-dog-friendly Jailhouse Rock next winter. That’s if we don’t feel we can afford a possible international trip to some new exotic place, yet to be determined. Possible options include Australia, Greece, Spain, Thailand, or the Philippines. We’ll see what the finances look like next summer.

Living on a fixed income and dealing with the continually rising cost of living, despite what our current dystopian government would lead us to believe, has created a great deal of uncertainty. The key is to stay vigilant, educated, and mindful of what is going on around us, without succumbing to fear. Though the pendulum has swung far right, for the time being, it will soon reach an apex before returning to the opposite. This is something I’ve witnessed many times in this long life.

Namaste!

~Chuck

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