THE VERY BEST MEDICINE OF ALL

Today was one of those unplanned, what-should-we-do-today? days.  Being retired and currently unencumbered by homeowner responsibilities, we are often presented with opportunities to be spontaneous – to be impulsive and free!  The operative words here are “presented with” opportunities – but do we take advantage of them and make the most of them?  Unfortunately, not as often as we could – and should!  Usually, we can make a case for something we really SHOULD do instead.  And our weeks are usually pretty well filled with doctor’s appointments, or something related to medical “stuff!”  Well, today we walked out the door, locked it behind us, and went exploring in our new environment.  It was the very best medicine of all – no time-restraints, no specific plans, lots of sunshine, laughter, new discoveries – just freedom and pure joy!

We took the Jeep, opened the windows, put in a Zac Brown CD and sang along to “Knee Deep in the Water” – loud and very off key.  First stop was the Canaveral National Seashore, about 3 miles from our condo.  Being a senior citizen, I paid $10.00 a few years ago for a permanent pass to the park.  We call it my “Old Lady Pass.”  I don’t care what anyone calls it; it allows us entrance to one of the most beautiful and pristine National Parks in Florida.  You won’t find cars on the beach; no places from which to rent rafts or buy hot dogs; no pier parties; no looming condos; no surf shops; no motels or lights.  You will find 23 miles of pristine beaches with large-grained sand, heaped into dunes like Mother Nature intended - untainted by car exhaust and unleveled by bulldozers. The Canaveral National Seashore, which includes beaches from south of New Smyrna Beach to Titusville, is one of the last of the Florida wildernesses.

Turtle Mound is the highest shell midden (heap) in the nation and located at the northern end of the seashore. This two-acre site contains over 35,000 cubic yards of oyster shell, extends more than six hundred feet along the Indian River shoreline, and stands about fifty feet tall. (In prehistoric times, it was at least seventy-five feet high.) Visible for miles offshore, the mound has been used as a navigational landmark since the early days of Spanish exploration.

You can swim or fish in the ocean, walk the nature trails, climb the Turtle Mound, fish or kayak in the lagoon, or just do nothing!  Today we decided to check out the fisherman on the beach and see what was running.  No one was admitting to any great fish stories, but we did come across an amazing discovery.  We had been there many times in the past, but usually with a purpose – catching dinner!  Today we just wandered the beach and, being shelling nuts, we realized that we had been missing something incredible all this time.  We found the motherload of shells!  There are other special spots we have come across that, depending on the tide, have more than their share of beauties – BUT this was beyond belief.  Our pockets were so full walking back to the Jeep that we had to hold up our shorts with both hands so the shells didn’t take us down – and probably get us arrested for indecent shelling! 

Our next stop was to check out a playground we had heard about at Bethune Beach, just a stone’s throw from Canaveral seashore.  Our young grandsons will be visiting soon and we wanted to check out some of the local toddler hangouts for them.  Considering the average age of the residents in our area, I didn’t have very high expectations for this playground.  WRONG again!  It’s modern, safe, bright and colorful – and it comes with a beautiful fishing pier on the lagoon, covered picnic facilities, and restrooms – all adjacent to the playground.  We spent a good half an hour watching a dolphin playing within 20 yards of us and a huge brown pelican just floating around and looking for lunch.  Kayakers were in and around, also being entertained by the local wildlife.  What a terrific find! 

We left there and drove a few short miles to an area where I thought I recalled seeing some sort of nature trail.  We thought we would check that out.  It turned out to be the Indian River Lagoon Preserve Park.  The park includes 200 acres of natural uplands/wetlands and has a 2/3 mile walking trail featuring eco-educational signs posted along the path with information about the natural habitat. As you walk through the paved path (very wide for walking or biking) you will encounter the elevated sign posts with detailed information about the native bird life, invasive species, animal/mammal habitat and more.  It wasn’t exactly what we were looking for as entertainment for toddlers, but Grammy and Grandpa had a great time. 

Next we decided to see what the Marine Discovery Center had to offer.  I knew they did Eco tours and kayak tours, but they also offer a variety of hands-on and feet-wet summer adventures. Activities include island and laboratory investigations, arts and crafts, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, surfing and more. What I enjoyed today were their hands-on exhibits of whelks, and crabs and all sorts of aquatic creatures.  Since there were no classes in session, we had the opportunity to survey their classroom.  Tanks and microscopes and nets and ...  I’m not really sure what most of it was, but it was very impressive.  I’m sure kids never want to leave.  We really didn’t either, but the day was beginning to wear on me.  Even fun can tire one out – especially this old lady! 

All in all, this turned out to be one of my most favorite days.  Medicine comes in many different forms.  This was, by far, the most enjoyable form and, I truly believe, just as vital to my recovery as all the others.  Living with and fighting cancer is a journey as well as a battle.  Try to put some joy into the journey – it will also build your store of ammunition for the battle.  

SURVIVAL TIP FOR TODAY:  Find joy wherever you can and incorporate it into your treatment plan.