Something New In My Life

Today I officially welcome something new in my life: pain. Real, hurting, sore, heavy pain, in my right hip. It's been going on for a few weeks, some days worse than others, but always there, deep in my hip, or focused on my knee or calf. My mother, in her last years, was always in pain in one or more parts of her body. And although I sympathized and felt so bad for her, I couldn't truly understand or share it. Mainly I was glad it wasn't me who was wincing with every step, moving slowly and carefully, sitting whenever possible. But now it's my bones that are grinding together, arthritic and unhealthy. My hip will never get better, said the orthopedic surgeon. Sooner or later I'll need a new one. In the meantime I'll try some jazzed up Tylenol and hope the pain recedes enough for me to enjoy my upcoming trip to California. I was hoping to make it at least to early old-age before the aches and pains set in. No such luck.