Nadine and I flew into Colorado to celebrate our third grandson Greyson’s 2nd birthday.  They live in Denver so we have been staying with them.  My 97-year-old mother lives in Colorado Springs, just 50 miles to the south, so it made sense to drive down and see her.

Yesterday I got in our Dodge 300 dark green rental car and made it to her apartment in less than an hour.  I pushed the 2nd floor button of the elevator and as I emerged, my mom’s door was open waiting for me to arrive.  She was alert, and was completely recovered from a fall a few months ago where she cracked her pelvis.  She was walking and clear thinking. What a joy to see her back to her before fall personality.

We spent time catching up on the family and their whereabouts.  Let me digress a bit.  I call my mother 5-6 times per week so she knows whats happening in my life and the lives of my children.  But I know that as my synapses have taken some disconnects and I can’t remember where I put my keys, my 97-year-old mom has fallen to the same demise.  We got caught up and decided to go down to the dining room for some chicken fricassee, green beans, tossed salad and peanut butter caramel ice cream.  Mom loved to introduce me to all of her friends as her son from Arizona.

The surprise came when after lunch, my mom wanted to know if I would like to join her in her regular exercise class of Tai Chi.  Tai Chi is often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.  I was honored that she would ask me and I jumped at the idea.  Exercising with my mom.  Doing Tai Chi with my Mom.  It blows my mind even to write these words down.  I have never even thought in my wildest mind to exercise with my mom and here in her 97th year, I was sitting next to her as Chris, the instructor, began to instruct us in the moves that would take us through 45 minutes of leg raising, arm twisting, and hand moving.  I often looked over to her and she was very serious in seeking to do all that the Tai Chi instructor instructed us to do.  The picture below was taken right after we had finished the experience.

By the way, the picture above was also a first as Mom and I took our first selfie together.  I’m not the best at taking selfies, but it didn’t turn out too bad.  Mom has taught me several things as she has matured.  The one thing today is that you are never too old to exercise with your son.

On this journey through life, seize the moments with those close to you and say yes to opportunities that bring joy and fulfillment that you never would have imagined.