INJURY STRIKES AT HOUSE FLY

I was looking forward to playing some pickle ball in the 94 degree heat yesterday. That might sound like sarcasm to you — but I do like to be active and I like the feel of the hot sun on my skin. When I was younger I’d take the sun and bask in it for hours — but now in my late 40s I generally avoid too much sun due to its deleterious effects.

I took my 20yr old daughter and wife to play and was really excited since we haven’t played in months. Usually we go for tennis; but we’ve been absent from that too — busy with life and all sorts of distractions.

Ten minutes into the 2 on 1 match, me dominating them, my knee gave out and now I’m hobbled. I probably have a small tear and it’s preventing me from twisting my knee. I can walk at about 1mph and feel generally stupid for injuring myself in a sport most preferred by geriatrics.

As a boy I’d swing from trees like an ape, play baseball 7 days a week, tackle football without equipment on the concrete, and a varying assortment of running games with my friends. Now I can’t even maneuver 3 ft to my left at 10% speed without injury.

There is an old saying that applies here “youth is wasted on the young.” And I know I’m not “old” per se — but I was younger once and I can tell you that I much prefer to be younger than wiser.