A Tired and Worn Body
In less than a month I turn 33 years old. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the early birthday gift to remind me of this impending milestone.
33 isn’t really a big deal, in my mind. Yes, it’s approaching the mid-30s, but the thought of it has yet to strike me as problematic. What has struck me is how my body feels more tired and worn these past few years as I’ve crossed over into my 30s. I realize this is not all that unique — all of us age and feel the effects.
Newspaper clipping of me playing ball as a child
I also realize, though, what great bodies and minds we’ve been given as human beings. Given enough time, effort and training, we can adapt to most anything. As a child I learned to write with my feet at a young age and I often participated in neighborhood games like baseball and football by holding the bat or football between my shoulder and chin and throwing the baseball with my feet.
However, as I get older, I’m becoming more aware of the body’s ability to wear out when you use it for abnormal purposes. The past couple of years I’ve experienced pain in my right knee; my predominant leg. I use this leg for most daily activities such as eating, shaving, etc. and the bending and flexing at weird angles has been hard on my knee. The doctor has asked me to limit my activities with that leg (climbing stairs and the like), but I really don’t have an option to significantly cut down on motions where I bring my foot up to my head or mouth.
This is one of the harder facts of life for me — my body is wearing out quicker than most due to the daily strain of reaching, grabbing, and clutching that I do with my feet. I’ve got physical therapy exercises that would help as well, but I rarely complete them. At some level, I still like to think that I’m invincible. That is until my knee starts throbbing after a long week. (Typing is not a helpful action for my knee, either. See the note about the illusion of invincibility just above!)
So, weekends like this one are most welcome. The past couple of days my parents visited from eastern Washington and that meant extra help and a relief from some day-to-day tasks. I used to think of this as being spoiled, being lazy or proving that I was not independent. As I get older, though, I’m beginning to see that accepting help is none of those things.
My parents love helping by taking a shopping trip to Costco with me, cooking and cleaning up, helping do laundry and any other various projects that I need help with. Yes, as I’ve said here before, I do need help! Having my parents visit is proving more valuable the older I get.
I guess I’m maturing with the passing years. Every so often I still find myself trying to do things on my own when others freely offer help, but that’s simply built into my spirit as it’s what has helped me become the man I am today. Old habits die hard.
Thanks, Mom & Dad for all your help! And, thank you friends for your support both physically and emotionally. Believe me, this old man appreciates it!
Sighs & Hallelujahs 