It’s a Crime to Be Unhealthy!
By Susan Holloway, M.S. Home Economics Child Development-Family Relations
Retired Teacher of JMCSS and Madison County Extension
Each day I begin with my first thoughts of gratitude. I am a very healthy person and yet am living with a
pancreas that stopped producing any insulin over 30 years ago. (That topic I will address at a later time). I
often wonder if my gratitude has improved my overall health and wellness. I asked Google and found
hundreds of articles to the affirmative. I find one of the most common things I think is “I AM THANKFUL FOR
FREEDOM AND THANKFUL FOR JESUS”. I am thankful that I have choices. I do not have to worship a fake
God, wear uniforms, have a standard haircut, drive an army green tractor trailer truck, have a standard nail
color, live in an igloo, or miss seeing or talking to my friends as I choose. Then I think - No I am free but those
in military paid and are paying a large price for my freedoms. The only time in my life I have not felt free was
when I followed the rules of my mother who would not let me out of her site until my age of 21 because she
was afraid, I would SIN. Sin to her I have done – I pierced my ears, colored my hair, polished my nails, wore
shorts and swimwear, said some slang words, etc. My mom died at age 92 and never changed her rules.
Adults, male and female, have served years in Military roles to see that we have freedoms. Many of
these people have been influential in my life. They may live to be 80+ years old but they have health problems
related to their years of service. I think daily, “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE”. One friend told of
spending three months in waterfilled bunkers in Korea where many soldiers had rotten feet from the wet. Our
25-year Marine friend has such a list of health issues related to chemicals, water contamination, dust, high
heat but he still lives the motto of “ADAPT AND OVERCOME”. His breathing is heard louder than any noise in
the room and he takes chemo pills (4 th round) for unknown growths and pains. I sometimes see all the
veterans in VA Clinics when I transport him for services that are NOT top notch. These people have spent
their lives ADAPTING and OVERCOMING. I have trouble thinking I could begin to live the way it would be
during war times and then suffer the rest of life. These were and are all for my freedom. Expressions of
gratitude are healthy.
Let us express daily our gratitude for freedom not just on Juneteenth and July 4 th .