Spring---The Beginning

I was feeling very satisfied with myself as Spring, 2006 arrived. Since my retirement from teaching a less active lifestyle resulted in some unwanted poundage. A subsequent weight loss was good for both body and soul.

On a warm day while walking our two

Yorkiepoos, I found myself listing to the left nearly losing my footing as I stepped from the sidewalk onto the grass. Righting myself we continued on our walk and the episode was forgotten. Through the next two weeks, however, I began bumping into walls and tables in our home. Annoyed but not really concerned I commented to a good friend about my sudden onset of clumsiness. The ensuing conversation about possible causes led to much laughter and the usual jokes about the wonderful "golden years". Half kidding I suggested that due to the weight loss my shoes were surely too big. This resulted in side-splitting laughter and we left one another in a lighthearted mood. That night I related the same thought to my husband, Bob, who commented that the idea could make sense. Early the next morning I headed for a shoe store and purchased a new pair of sneakers a half size smaller. They felt fairly comfortable and with rising confidence I left the store certain my problem had been solved.

Why didn't I know the answer to my problem couldn't be that simple. It soon became crystal clear my new shoes were not helping me in any way. I fell into my foyer with my feet dangling out the door. Unable to stand I proceeded to pick up dust bunnies trapped under a cabinet. I felt I should do something useful as long as I was stuck there. Bob sauntered up the driveway with the dogs and panicked at the sight of my sneakers hanging slightly over the welcome mat. The dogs thought it was great fun that mom was on the floor. Mom laughed too, but stopped as an ankle started bruising and swelling.

Bob and I chalked it up to my habit of always being in a hurry with my mind one step ahead of my body. In retrospect, we were both in denial that anything serious could be wrong. The accidents continued day after day in the following weeks. I fell in the yard, driveway, hospital, pharmacy and parking lots. I was found sprawled on the floor in every room of the house and became frantic at the thought of damaging my three year old titanium hip. I had managed to dive to the left to avoid landing on it. Both legs were now involved due to pulled muscles, twisted knees and sprained toes. I soon came to decision that turned out to be providential or so it seemed at the time.