To my relief, when my dad answered the phone a few days ago, he sounded like his old self—strong, determined, alert, and almost impatient to continue his constant activities.
My parents live in my native La Paz, Bolivia—12,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the Andes. The thin air there can challenge even the healthiest of bodies, but it never slowed down my father. Even at 83, after a quadruple bypass, he played tennis three times a week, ran errands, and danced with his great-granddaughters.
During a trip to a coastal resort in Chile, my father overdid it—too much sun and too much activity. The result was alarming: nausea, dizziness, hiccups, confusion, tremors, exhaustion, and slurred speech. He was unrecognizable.
Upon returning to La Paz, a doctor made a house call. A full workup was ordered, including a head scan to rule out Parkinson’s. One thing was clear—my dad was severely dehydrated. The doctor prescribed hydration salts and plenty of water.
My father took the instructions seriously. He drank water with a new commitment—more than he ever had in his life. For his generation, water was never front and center. Growing up, I don’t remember it being ordered, carried, or even offered the way we do today.
Water transformed him. Within days, his bloodwork and cognitive tests came back better than expected. He regained energy, clarity, and spirit. No head scan was needed. He felt the change—and I heard it in his voice.
Water lubricates joints, regulates temperature, balances blood sugar, aids digestion, fights fatigue and stress, boosts skin and brain health, and more. It’s simple. And too often forgotten.
This piece was originally written in early 2020. But COVID paused everything. On April 18th, my dad passed away. My mother followed just nine days later. Both fell victim to the virus.
If you’re reading this, I ask you—please raise a glass of water. Not just to honor their memory, but to remember that even the most basic things, like hydration, can be lifesaving.
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