Several times today, a kid asked me for help, or to come look at a fabulous Lego creation, and I found myself uttering those words.  And groaning.  As if rising from my chair were the most difficult task I'd undertaken in years. About the fourth go-round it occurred to me ~ all the years that had been threatening to catch up to me had finally gone and done it.  

Damnit!

I naiively thought, when forty breezed right by without event, that I had escaped them for good.  I mean, you hear about forty.  It's a big deal.  Thirty?  Eh, a mere blip on the proverbial screen, but forty?  Forty is serious business.  So, you know, I was prepared.  I thought: this is when my waist starts to sort of vanish into my hips, and the wrinkles that have been sort of tenuously hinting at my face really dig in and take a stronghold.  I mean, I knew it wouldn't all happen overnight, but, I got it. I figured, you get older, things change.  I also figured, I'd pretty much take it in stride.  

I had every reason to think I could.  Why,  just shy of my fortieth birthday, I ran my first 5k.  I sailed right into forty in the best shape and best health I had enjoyed in years.  Forty?  Yeah, I got this.  No big deal ~ see?  I went to the gym, ran, rode my bike, ate well and enjoyed generally good health.  Relatively speaking.  I mean, I have chronic health problems, so there's that, but...I enjoyed generally good health for me.  And that was good enough ~ better than I expected, really.  

Did I get sick?  Sure.  But, you know, I got over it, strapped on my sneakers and took off running again.  No worries.

Then, all of a sudden, forty-one snuck up and bit me in the ass.  As I approached my forty-first birthday, I developed a sort of all-over general body ache, primarily in my joints.  Nonetheless, I sallied forth as best I could, in my neon pink and black running shoes.  I was doing pretty well, too, until our weekend at Lake Arrowhead. 

Don't get me wrong, I had a great weekend.  Best I have had in ages, in fact.  I enjoyed a couple of bike rides in the mountains, a long walk or two, a brief and very cold swim in the very cold lake and lots of good times with friends.  Then, about the third or fourth day in, I woke up virtually unable to walk.  I know I have a "trick knee," so this was nothing especially new.  I took it easy for a few days and it started to feel better.

Until I stood up again.   The knee just keeps going out on me.  So, I take it easy for a few days.  The problem is, every time I try to get moving again ~ not running, biking, or turning cartwheels, but just walking to the laundry room and back ~ it seems a little harder than it was before.  By the end of most days, my knee is achy and swollen.  Sometimes, my hip hurts.  Why, just recently, one of my grilfriends and I were discussing our bursitis...

And, thus, it is that I have become one of those people who groans upon rising.  Truly, I was not ready for this.  

Well, I guess I'd better go get the kids something to eat.   Just give me a minute to get out of this chair.  Here I go...

*grrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooaaaaaannnnnnnn*