Many sunrises and sunsets in 2016 but I had a special surprise on New Year’s Eve as the year was soon to end. I was driving through Ventura and saw a great rainbow arched from the hillside to the ocean. A rainbow is a rare occasion in Ventura as we have been in a severe drought for several years. 

I paused to take it in and appreciate the natural beauty and look ahead to the New Year. I remembered the song Somewhere over the Rainbow thinking of the rainbow reaching from the past year to new year.

As I reflect on the past year, I am pleased to say that I had a healthy year with some exciting travel and good times with friends and family. I started a new decade in my life as I turned 70 and still hanging in here with the help of Kalydeco and other CF treatments. I count my blessings every day and remain diligent with my CF treatments, medications and exercise. As I look forward to 2017 I open my heart and mind to new adventures, new people, new places and a few resolutions:

 

Stay active to maintain good health. Keeping up my regular exercise this year has already been a bit challenging. Several times this year I have swum laps in the rain in an outdoor pool; figured I was going to get wet anyway. I had my first round of golf just last week on soggy fairways and slow greens. Good thing yoga is indoors so easier to stay with it. I know I am spoiled living in coastal California and can enjoy the outdoors most any time of year. The good news is the drought is over and it is great to see green hillsides where I can take hikes.

 

Travel to new places for new adventures. I have been fortunate to visit many countries in my lifetime. Even though it is harder now to keep up with CF treatments when traveling; it is always worth it. I will be following that rainbow to Alaska as plans are underway for a trip this summer to the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island. We will be meeting up with my college roommates and spouses and enjoying the outdoors and maybe even seeing a bear or two.

 

Volunteer and give back. Although leaving the CFLF Board this year I will continue to support its mission and sustain the Loretta Morris Fund which awarded 107 Recreation Grants to CF patients over the past six years. I am grateful to the 52 donors that help support the Fund. It makes my day when I get comments from a grant recipient:

Eliza, Age 15 years, Oakland, CA – Swimming: “She is growing more and more confident, learning to float independently and getting comfortable putting her face in the water. After her second lesson, she said, "I feel like swimming is something I'll be able to do for the rest of my life." -Eliza’s Mom.

Whether it is time, talent or treasure I will give back and support the CFLF and other charitable organizations with financial support, volunteer efforts, and continue to follow rainbows to make dreams come true. Just last Saturday, January 21st, good friends and I joined millions of others across the country as we marched in a local March for Justice in Ventura, CA.

 

 

Follow Rainbows and Help others Live Stronger and Longer

 

 

 

Barbara Morris Harison lives in Ventura, CA and served two terms on the CFLF Board. She was diagnosed with CF at age sixty four (64). She lost a sister to CF forty-five (45) years ago and established the Loretta Morris Memorial Fund with CFLF in 2010. Barbara is retired after a long career in public parks and recreation administration and management of her own consulting business, Harison & Associates. When she is not swimming laps or golfing she volunteers for community organizations.
 

 

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