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| Me in our rental unit in Palm Springs after a dip in the pool |
In this short post I will address the elephant in the room.
Maybe this "elephant" doesn't need to be addressed but I would feel more comfortable if I addressed it.
At one time I was a young man in good physical shape.
I never had a weight problem.
I was healthy.
I was fairly good-looking to some.
I was tall.
For a long time, I didn't look my age.
However, the past three or four years of caregiving (for Bill) and the stresses of life including my advancing age, has taken a toll.
Normally I wouldn't bring up this subject because "it is what it is." Normal people don't apologize for aging. But, I like many others, have a degree of vanity.
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| Me at Atlantic City, New Jersey 1965 |
In all my past blog posts no one has ever seen me in swim trunks. That's because I haven't been in a swimming pool for over fifty years. The last time I was in a swimming pool was maybe over sixty years ago when Bill and I first got together. I was in much better shape then.
Now, after my holiday in Palm Springs, the last two weeks, I threw aside caution and took a dip or two in two different pools. I just couldn't resist folks!
Yes, I exposed my arthritic twisted body.
No, there is nothing I can do about my arthritis other than to slow its progression with exercise, which I am doing. But I cannot not "cure" my arthritis, which has gotten worse over the past two years.
The fact is I AM AN OLD MAN and I look and feel it.
I am in pain during all my waking hours.
Generally in the two to three range, sometimes more.
I have balance problems walking.
My walking problems and the stiffness of my arthritis and my lack of muscle tone is a far cry from my youth.
It is what it is.
I don't know how much time I have left, but I just couldn't resist those pools in Palm Springs.
There, I said it. No need to advice on how I can stand up straight.
I am old.
3 comments:
I’m two years behind you, I’m feeling all those things coming on. So far I’m really not in much pain most of the time but my activities are being more and more limited as time progresses. I’m not ‘giving up’ yet but eventually that time will come. I’m by myself and will never allow myself to get to where I can’t take care of myself.
Any news from the HOA on putting a new structure in your back yard? I’m pessimistic that they will allow that to happen but I hope I’m wrong.
Jim
Be comfortable with who you are. I have been back in the pool several times a week, all 270+ pounds of me. I feel so much better for the movement.
David,
You are so right! "Be comfortable with who you are." I am. It just takes some getting used to displaying my deteriorating body after so many years of being naturally blessed with a slim, trim, muscle toned body. Ah vanity. But I think most of it is in my head because I don't think the other folks in the pool care how I look and I'm certainly not trying to attract anybody. Even when I was slim and trim I didn't attract anybody so what's the difference? It's our character that attracts who we want to attract, that I have found out. Of course a hot body doesn't hurt but that isn't the main thing. The wisdom of age.
Ron
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