Survivor. This is my stepdad, Goran. He is 69 years old. Three months ago, he had a stroke. He woke up one morning with a bad headache, followed by numbness in the left side of his face and a few hours later he had no sensations in his left arm. He drove himself to the hospital where he sat for 4 hours before seeing an actual physician (that’s the Swedish health care system for you). The stroke wasn’t severe but it would have been devastating for someone with less mental and physical fortitude. You see, Goran, is like a living Buddha mixed with a dash of retiree ironman. His favorite past time are long, aimless walks in nature. Or going swimming in the ocean in less than ideal temperatures (he frequently goes in the wintertime). You’ll also find him sitting on his balcony for hours, taking in the beauty of everyday life in the neighborhood. He truly enjoys his own company, or rather, the company of what is…he is always present.
He also has an extremely high threshold for discomfort. While doing his military service, he broke his thigh bone during a cross country race but he didn’t stop, instead he ended up finishing the race, running several miles with his broken leg. His stubbornness cost him as he is still limping from the injury, 50 years later. He has completed Vattern Runt (300 kilometer bicycle race) 18 times and Styrkeproven twice (570 kilometers). Three weeks after his stroke, he hiked a 50 kilometer trail. This fall, he’s planning on climbing Kebnekaise (7,000 ft) and he’s registered to compete in Vasaloppet (900 kilometer cross country ski race) this winter. He finishes things. Another great example of this is his career. He got his first and only job with Volvo at 17. He retired with them 50 years later at 67.
Last week I asked him if the stroke changed things for him as far as being more appreciative and immersed in everyday aspects of life and he said: “No, not at all, I’ve always taken everything in as much as I possibly can. I’m just grateful I get to continue the journey.”
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