Man In His Fifties Collapses And Dies While Biking
A mountain biker in his fifties collapsed and died while biking in the southern region of Israel. I heard this news broadcast in the background while I was otherwise occupied. My ears perked up as the news report concerned a fellow mountain biker. A few hours later when my husband came home and related this event to me, I already knew of the core story. To my surprise, however, I learned that we actually knew this man. My husband was clearly upset as he relayed the story to me.
“He was lucky, he was.”
“What?!”
My response was unexpected. I like to call the desert God’s Playground. The desert, especially the the areas of Mitzpe Ramon, the Dead Sea and the Eilat Mountains, is an amazing and exciting place to mountain bike between the craters, riverbeds, purple background and caves on a clear winter day.
A gift: simply a gift!
He was a successful man, highly esteemed. His life, however, will be measured not by the generous collection of titles, diplomas and recognitions on his walls, but rather by legacy of love and memories left behind which will live on and on. He was loved by many: his beloved partner, children, colleagues, friends and playmates. A life of abundance, joy, benevolence and love marked his path. Yes, his spirit was surely painfully torn away but he lived a full life, a good one. He was, however, spared suffering, pain, disability and/or other.
I will happily greet my maker in a similar fashion at his playground down yonder, although I do hope that he will grant me some more time…
Heart disease is the major chronic disease of our times and is rampant within the developed western countries. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is increasingly chocking us down, ever-present and developing at an alarming rate! Researchers have been studying this disease with a passion since the middle of the twentieth century. Modern medicine has been unable to cure this disease. Most of its invested efforts center around palliative or in layman’s terms Band-Aids or cosmetic solutions: opening clots, redirecting blood traffic, medication and pain relief. For the most part, the prescribed treatment deals with the side effects of the disease and does little to cure or prevent further deterioration
My father, may he rest in peace, also left this world at the age of fiftysomething. He, in stark contrast, was by no means a healthy man: obese and suffering from both severe heart disease and chronic stress. He knew that his end was near. According to his doctor, his only chance for survival was a heart transplant. That was in the 1980’s and this procedure was relatively new and Dad with neither health insurance nor economic means never had a chance.
I wish. I wish that I knew then what I know now…
Most of the chronic diseases which afflict us can be cured through a change of diet and lifestyle. it is truly wondrous, beyond imagination, to read of the works of doctors such as Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Joel Fuhrman and many others’. How amazing is the power of a mostly whole food plant based diet!
Who would fail to be mesmerized by the power of the plated rainbow of colors?
Unfortunately this was not the only tragedy to strike close this week. On the other side of the world in Virginia, another tragedy left mourners in its wake.
Six Year Old Dies In Wreck
A driver runs a stop sign and kills a six year old girl: Chloe, the daughter of a fellow Nia teacher. In today’s modern era, with our extended digital network of friends, we can stay in touch with our long distance family, friends and acquaintances. Despite never having the privilege of meeting her daughter, I had seen frequent posts and pictures which allowed me to share in on all of her latest anecdotes and photos. My pain is none the less real. I cannot seem to rid myself of the thoughts, emotions and horrors which hover over me.
A tragedy! Inconceivable.
Six years old!
“And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief.”
~William Cullen Bryant
I would like to share with you one of the last anecdotes that her mother shared on Facebook:
"Mommy, I think the secret to life is family. With a little bit of magic mixed in. Because without magic, we wouldn't even exist."
On Sunday there were two funerals: one in Israel and one in the U.S. May they rest in peace.
