Notes from Steve

Eleven years ago today - I was the first patient for the new bariatric sleeve service at the Belmond campus.  Life nowadays is just different.  At the time - I was tipping the scales at 300 pounds, my body hurt a lot, and I (personally) was miserable.* My clothes didn’t fit, I tried to avoid being in pictures, and anything active had me winded and in pain.  Post surgery - I got into biking (thanks to several relentless ISH folks), working out, and talking and hopefully living “wellness”.

I was thinking this morning - “what was it that helped me along my path?” Saying “yes”.  By saying “yes” quickly - I find myself getting in trouble a lot, but for some reason** it usually works out.  My group of bikers in Des Moines came because I was open to other people’s needs (needing to ride with a team for RAGBRAI in 2021), and that led to fantastic friendships and a great community.  I met someone back in March on a St. Paddy’s Day ride, and somehow (green beer), I added her to our ISH biking Facebook page.  I texted her last week and asked what she was doing on our ISH RAGBRAI page. She had no clue, so I took her off the group.  On the “Hillbilly” (no hillbillies were riding) ride on the Chichaqua trail in central Iowa a couple of days ago, I recognized her at a stop in Baxter, Iowa, from her profile pic, and I yelled out her name.  We got to talking; she had no plans to ride RAGBRAI, but now she is.  

My friend Priscilla used to say “life is good” all the time.  Even when she was battling terminal cancer.  She said “yes” a lot with abandon.  Although her life was short, it was full.  None of us knows how much time we have.  Regardless of your journey - weight loss, education, career, parenting, joy - just do it with relentless vigor.  

Say yes. 

*I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve commented that this isn’t for them.  I’m writing my experience and where I was - you do you.
**God, the universe, Reggie, luck