A Weekend That Reminded Me Why I Do This

This past weekend was one of my favorite weekends of the year.

Our annual family reunion.

For a few days, our house was wonderfully full.

All six of our children were home with their spouses, along with all fifteen of our grandchildren.

If you've ever had that many people under one roof, you know it's equal parts joy and organized chaos.

The weekend started with me behind the grill cooking burgers and hot dogs for the whole crew.

The next day we celebrated one of our grandchildren's birthdays with bowling, followed by movie night at Nana and Papa Jim's house. While our kids enjoyed a well-deserved dinner together, Anne and I had the privilege—and the energy—to keep fifteen grandkids entertained.

Then came Saturday.

Our annual Buis family golf outing.

Mother Nature had other plans, so instead of playing outside, we moved the tournament indoors to the simulators at Pebble Brook Golf Club in Noblesville.

We still had a great time, and I was reminded once again that golfers can find a way to compete no matter what the weather decides.

After golf, Anne and I hosted her entire extended family—about seventy-five people—for an evening of food, laughter, and catching up.

Watching our kids reconnect with their cousins and seeing the next generation build those same relationships reminded me how special these weekends really are.

By the time everyone headed home, I had one overwhelming thought...

I'm incredibly thankful that my body allowed me to fully participate in every moment.

There was a time when a weekend like that would have left me sitting on the sidelines, looking for opportunities to rest while everyone else kept going.

Not anymore.

Now, full disclosure...

I was definitely feeling it on Monday.

My legs were tired.

My back was stiff.

And my hips were reminding me that I'm not twenty-five anymore.

But here's what really stood out.

By Wednesday, I was pretty much back to normal.

That reminded me of something we don't talk about enough.

Healthy aging isn't about never getting sore.

It's about recovering well enough that you can say "yes" to life's biggest moments again and again.

That's why I spend so much time talking about strength, mobility, nutrition, and recovery.

Not because I'm chasing the perfect golf swing.

Although I certainly enjoy playing better golf.

I do it because I want to be the grandfather chasing kids around the backyard.

The husband who can host seventy-five family members without spending the next week recovering.

The golfer who's still excited to tee it up with family every chance I get.

Golf may have been the reason I started this journey.

But family is the reason I stay on it.