Safe is the current buzzword. All day, people wish another, “Be safe.” They’re referring to health and welfare. In other words, wherever you go, avoid the Covid-19 virus. If you venture into one of the nearby cities, lookout for crossfire.
When our kids were teenagers with activities of their own, my husband felt he was doing his job protecting his family when he could lock the front door on our way to bed knowing everyone was upstairs asleep. A few years later, one of our daughter’s friends lost her husband and their two small sons in a nighttime house fire. No place is completely safe.
We hear admonitions about the four components of an active lifestyle: healthy eating, exercise, hydration and sleep. Yet, nothing guarantees a long life.
A year ago, we sympathized with an old friend at the memorial service following the death of her middle-aged daughter. The young grandmother had escaped the pandemic, but she lost her battle with breast cancer. Although the virus has captured the spotlight, the usual diseases including cancer, heart attack and stroke continue to take their toll, too.
Making our own choices is what being a citizen of the United States is all about. Whether a person weighs the pros and cons thoughtfully or decides on a whim, each of us has the personal freedom to make our own choices.
During the summer, Ken and I get a kick out of taking rides in our 1965 Plymouth convertible. With its top down and only lap belts, the car wouldn’t be as protective during a crash as our 2005 Chrysler sedan or 2015 Ram pick-up, but we sacrifice a degree of safety for the enjoyment of the trip.
How do you balance safety and pleasure?