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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.