Good morning - We just had a gathering of 6 lifelong friends last evening, and naturally talk turned to health for a while as we are all of "a certain age" - all of us have some degree of arthritis - several have both osteo- and rheumatoid types, some for 30 years or more. But you couldn't find a greater example of living well with a chronic condition - I truly believe staying active, positive and connected to others is the key.

I know it has been dreadfully difficult these last months, and the temptation to just curl up on the sofa or in bed can be overwhelming, but the key is what we CAN do, not what we cannot.

For example, one friend moved the discussion back to "positive" last night by pulling out a deck of "story" cards and to get us talking about not only memories, but also all the things we still wish to do...
And for many years, we gathered weekly in fall and winter to play wallyball, quite a strenuous sport, for 2 hours, then to socialize. Those days are long gone, but my other friend is very clever at organizing silly games that get us laughing, and until Covid we still exercised our competitive genes with monthly card games around someone's dining room table.

NOw I must get out for my (abbreviated) morning walk between thunderstorms.
Sue