About 18 years ago I did something to one of my knees when I jumped out of the back of the ambulance. I knew it hurt but I brushed it off as a sprain, but its never been the same. I can go for months without giving it a thought but then a twist in the wrong direction or a step the wrong way and the twinge reminds me things are not as they once were. And for the following week or so it continues to remind me that I have a weakness there.
Recently I've been more aware of that weakness as my knee has actually started buckling at inopportune times. I'll be walking along, minding my own business, and BAM! - I nearly fall down. It's a strange feeling and I worry that some day I actually will fall, although so far I've only been given the warning and not experienced the consequences. I'm crossing my fingers.
These are the things that remind us we're aging. The body starts letting us know its just not what it used to be, and all those years of wear and tear are taking a toll. So often I think about one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life". It came when Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed were walking home together, obviously falling in love and chatting up a storm when an older man watching from his porch encourages them to kiss each other. When they demur he waves his arm in disgust and utters "Aw, youth is wasted on the young!".
I appreciate that sentiment more now than I used to. I know exactly what he meant.
3 comments:
Actually he says "Youth Is Wasted on the Wrong People"
You're so right! It was George Bernard Shaw that said it was wasted on the young! How nice to find someone else who loves "It's a Wonderful Life" well enough to remember that line!
I totally 'get' this blog entry!
In my case, it's not my knees, it's my hip that gives out. Not ready for a 'bionic' one yet, so I'll just need to deal with it.
But, like you, I'm afraid there will come a day when I'll be the one saying, "I've fallen, and I can't get up." No joke.
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