Remember when you were growing up and one of your neighbors, who was about 30, wanted to do something he used to be able to do. My neighbor Jim, wanted to try out my skateboard when I was in middle school and I let him try it. Not long into his attempt, he was on his back and in a whole lot of pain. His wife told him that it would be the last time he tried something like that. I think it scarred him...and me. I remember vowing to myself that I would never do something like that and get myself hurt trying to do something I couldn't do...or shouldn't.
I'm not 14 any more. I had to come to that realization last Friday when I went in for shoulder surgery. I blame it all on middle school kiddies and their cruel mind games. When I was coaching track at Summit Middle School this year, I was trying to demonstrate the proper form for discus. All of the sudden...
Student 1: "Hey, I heard you could throw out to the field goal post last year. Is that true?"
Student 2: "Maybe he used to but he's too old now"
Me: "You think I'm too old?"
Student 3: "Well maybe you're gut would get in the way."
Me: "Oh...you think? Watch this"
That's when I should have stopped and thought about what they said because they were all right. I didn't stop though...and I might add...I hit the pole. I was happy except for the burning/numbing sensation in my shoulder. Turns out I tore some cartilage in my shoulder and had to get it screwed back down. ouch.
I didn't know what I did but I hurt it more dancing in my car on the way home that day. For about the last 5 weeks my shoulder has been falling out of place between 8 and 25 times a day. The wifey made me call a doctor and the doctor said surgery and now...i'm in an immobilizing sling for at least 2 weeks. I did get some terrific pain pills though...mmm
There you have it. They were right. I am getting old.
It's a sad day.
(I realize this one is far away, but she was posing for the camera.) :)
