Balance
As a young man, pulling on your pants one leg at a time is no big deal. As an older man it’s a test of agility and technique. Several weeks back I thought I’d forgotten how to do it. Standing on my right leg was easy, standing on my left was problematic. Then I realized it was all about technique. While standing on my left I wasn’t raising my arthritic right leg high enough. I’m proud to say it’s now fixed, and my balance is fine.
It called to mind memories of watching my father age and realizing I needed long term care insurance and good lower body strength. The first simply involved a call to my insurance agent. The second involves dedication and the willingness to not spend too much time sitting on my duff. So, far I’ve done a pretty fair job. At seventy-seven I managed to make it to the south rim in Big Bend and the top of Guadalupe Peak. But that was several years back, and I’ve fallen a little bit off the pace.
Part of the problem was surgery I had to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. I got seven stents and a call to take it easy for a while. The “for a while”, however, has stretched out a little too long in my book, and my efforts to get back on track have sputtered. But I need that lower body, so it’s time to bow my back, strap on my boots and get going. Will power is called for but that’s the thing in question, always has been for me. A soft chair and a good book is my poison. And maybe that’s the answer. I’ll make it the reward for a nice long walk.