Health

March 21

I am thankful for health. We don't know how long we will have health, but when we do, we are extremely grateful for it. I just completed my annual bladder checkup and received a clean bill of health. I am elated that this is the case. I know that health is not something to be taken for granted.

In  coming up with a photo for health, my first thoughts were to use doctors, hospitals, nurses, etc., however, I realized that I wanted something that more signified healthy living/lifestyle/wellness rather than sickness. The old addage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" came to mind. So I created a photo composed of apples.  In addition, in the photo, I used the apples to make a heart as another indicator of health. Even though these symbols may be cliche', it was exactly what I wanted to say. Generally, we go to see physicians because we are sick and hope to be made better. I am not trying discourage routine checkups. Afterall, I just went to one. As a lab person, I know that preventive maintenance is much better than the major repairs required if routine maintenance is neglected. Doctors do a wonderful job of making us well when we are sick and can tune us up to make us run better and longer. But to be truly healthy means there would be no need for doctors (at least at that time). 

The photo is composed of eight apples, one for each day of the week (an apple a day), and the top middle one, the one that holds it all together. If this apple were put out of place and moved in line with the other two top apples, the shape would resemble that of an upside down teardrop, which I use here to represent sickness. So the all important apple is the one that ties it all together and turns the tear (sickness) into a heart (wellness). What this apple is may depend on the person. It may be different for different people - it may be exercise, diet, healthy choices, genetics, belief in God, living a spiritual life, or prayer.

From the top right and going clockwise, the apples are Cripps Pink (Pink Lady) (Monday), Golden Delicious (Tuesday), Red Delicious (Wednesday), Honey Crisp (Thursday), Red Delicious (Friday), Golden Delicious (Saturday), Honey Crisp (Sunday), and the top middle is Granny Smith.

apple a day

if an apple a day

keeps the doctor away

does a daily garlic dose

keep not the dentist close?

© rt tulley

March 21b