24 Hours

We hear it all the time -

 

the difference that 24 hours can make in a life.

 

News, or an event, whether

unexpected or

anxiously awaited

can truly change everything.

google images

 

 

Yesterday at this time I was excited,

full of anticipation and energy,

ready to tackle the day's projects.

 

I felt strong, confident, capable.

I performed my tasks at home and walked

to work with a sure, firm step.

 

And then, betrayal.

 

My knee buckled while I was working.

I don't even have an interesting story to tell.

I was simply walking from point A to point B.

There is no tale of derring-do

or athletic prowess gone awry

to chronicle my pain.

 

There was pain.

A reasonable, manageable pain.

 

What is unreasonable

is the effect this has had on me.

Yes, prudence would skip my morning workout. 

Skip painting the base cabinets.

But I find myself

reluctant

to trust the knee with ordinary expectations.

 

Suddenly I don't feel strong.

 

Even with the ordinary and inevitable

processes of aging

I've never felt vulnerable or challenged by

a brush with middle-age mortality.

The unwelcome spectre of change or limitation

 has never been an active threat.

Until today.

 

Even as I write this I recognize a certain level

of over-reaction.

I'm not given to over-reacting.

I'm calm and sensible.

It's only a wrenched knee for Pete's sake!

 

But most of us - even on our most rational days - look for

the small markers that may signal

a need for attention.

Today I'll adjust my plans

take it easy

probably even drive to work.

 I'll no doubt take an inventory of goals

and reasonable expectations;

make an examination of current routines.

There's a challenge here and I can already

sense a response.  

 

What do I need to do to safeguard

my expectations?