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The title of this post may be puzzling for some readers. One would think that as enthusiastically as I write about riding my Harley, that I would find every opportunity to ride whenever I can. <\/p>\nThe title of this post may be puzzling for some readers. One would think that as enthusiastically as I write about riding my Harley, that I would find every opportunity to ride whenever I can. <\/p>\n
Well, I do love to ride, but I also struggle with balancing riding time with obligations and responsibilities.<\/p>\n
Today is one of those days where I got myself into a situation where I will go for a ride all day. Should be fun, but I still have that nagging feeling of shirking responsibilities and caregiver duties for my spouse.<\/p>\n
Here’s what’s going on.
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\nI serve as a road captain for a motorcycle riding club. This club organizes many rides, and I have the pleasure of leading some of them, or riding sweep (a safety position) on others. During our Spring ride planning meeting, I thought that I heard a road captain offer to lead a “short ride” today. I offered to “ride sweep.” Generally, my impression of a short ride is a ride that lasts about 3 hours, giving me at least half a day to do other things.<\/p>\n
However, when the road captain finally sent me his ride plan, it turned out to be an all-day ride. It will go to a beautiful area of Maryland, with lovely scenic views. I’m sure I will love it.<\/p>\n
But… <\/p>\n
My spouse is still quite sick. I was up with him ’til 1am the other night. He was quite “unwell.” Yesterday, he was stable, and though I was concerned, I had a productive and busy day at work. <\/p>\n
Today, though, I will worry about being away all day in a remote area of my home state and cannot get home quickly if there is a problem. Also, since I will be operating my Harley most of the day, I will not be able to be reached by phone, since I turn my cell phone OFF when I operate a vehicle<\/u>. <\/p>\n
I will check for messages when we stop for a break or lunch, but the delay between receiving a call and checking for the message can be hours.<\/p>\n
Then on top of not wanting to leave my spouse alone all day, I have a cadre of senior pals who I usually take grocery shopping on Saturdays. <\/p>\n
On top of that, Spring is arriving and there are a ton of Spring chores to do around the house — especially since my spouse is not able to help due to his illness — there is a lot of work for me to do.<\/p>\n
So why am I riding my Harley all day today?<\/p>\n
For mental health reasons. Seriously. The pressure of caregiving is something I am familiar with since I took care of my aging uncle and aunt through their respective deaths. I knew that if I dedicated myself to caregiving 24\/7, I would have other consequences impact me. Stress, anxiety, and tension have funny ways of making themselves known, from physical health problems to weight gain to running one’s immune system down.<\/p>\n
I know that no matter how dedicated one is to people he loves and cares for, there are times when he must take a break to relieve the tension and anxiety, or the stress can and will build to a point where he gets sick or has other problems happen.<\/p>\n
Knowing this ride would impact my whole day today, I employed contingency plans. (I’m a planner by nature.)<\/p>\n
My sister will stay at our house today, to be available in case my spouse has a problem. Man, I don’t know what I would do without my loving and caring family.<\/p>\n
I took a small group of senior pals to the grocery store last night instead of today, and will take another group tomorrow — so with rearranging Saturday’s person obligations, the concern about the schedule of responsibilities is alleviated.<\/p>\n
The outside chores? Well, they can wait. The lawn can be mowed during the week, and other cleanup chores of which there are many can also be handled after I get home from work. At least I get home early and have about two hours before I prepare dinner for my spouse and me. It’ll work out. <\/p>\n
So today — for my health — I will boot up, leather up, and R–I-D-E! See ya’ on the byways!<\/p>\n
Life is short: ride for mental health!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The title of this post may be puzzling for some readers. One would think that as enthusiastically as I write about riding my Harley, that I would find every opportunity to ride whenever I can. Well, I do love to … Continue reading