Consider This - Walking Again

Learning to walk again, twice. That is what my friend Linda told me at pickleball the day I asked her what is one thing you’ve gone through that you didn’t think you’d ever get through.

Mobility is an issue and it’s an issue that most people grapple with as they get older. A friend of mine told me awhile back that we were “senior citizens” and I laughed out loud when she told me this.

There we were sitting at a local burger joint discussing life and age. She’s got a handful of children and I have two grouchy old pets. Yet, we’re the same age.

We’re both active and mobile and yet for me, this past year has been arduous. Some of you may be happy I used the word arduous because, well…it’s been arduous.

Arduous because despite feeling like I’m twenty, my poor body has taken a beating, especially my foot and ankle.

Back in July I stepped into a hole in my yard and here it is March and my left ankle is STILL swollen. But I am choosing to walk more and more because I’m thankful I can.

What motivates me to walk and keep going, even when it hurts, is my Dad. My father was a very strong old guy. His legs were little twigs, but solid as a rock and I saw him at 87 years old go up and down the stairs in my house. That honestly was one of the most inspiring things he ever did. He had Parkisons at the time he did it too.

So, I am learning to walk again. My balance is getting better because my left leg is finally gaining some strength again and I’m practicing certain exercises so that my body adjusts. It is really true that if you don’t use a muscle, it undergoes atrophy.

Also, since I am over fifty, I’m already losing muscle and so learning to walk again and walk better is building more muscle. I can feel it!

Never take your ability to walk, talk, see or hear for granted. Many people lose those capabilities as they age. I, for one, want to remain sharp in all of those areas. But, it takes work.

Fortunately, I have a lot of folks that inspire me. Maybe you’re one of them.