THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Most of us can't remember our toddler years but we had ample reminders watching small family members. One of the things it seems it takes several years to acquire as toddlers is balance and coordination.

They run, they fall. They get their feet tangled and down they go. Lean too far and splat. Since they are close to the ground and usually have ample cushioning with baby fat, the cry usually comes from the suddenness of position change, not from pain.

Then we mature and remain up right with ease for many years. Our balance is great and our recovery if tilted is excellent unless compromised by alcohol. We only have an up close encounter with the earth if we play sports or like to garden. We get used to being upright and take it for granted. 

Then the years pile on and I believe they do not pile on evenly. I think they pile up all on one side, causing our balance to become suspect. I have reached that age. Twice since I have been blogging, I have told of such ungraceful episodes. They are always funny in retrospect, for lets face it, pratfalls make us laugh.

Mighty dog needed his teeth cleaned so he had an early morning appointment on Friday for his semiannual breath freshening. Since the dogs must be anesthetized , they can't have any thing to eat or drink 12 hours before surgery.

 Mighty is a morning eater so to take his mind off a lack of food and to make sure his bowel and bladder were thoroughly empty, I gave him the treat of taking him for a walk in the city park before his appointment.

 

I was really surprised to see how many walkers were out but it has cooled down lately and quite a few gray or hairless heads were strolling in the early morning.

Mighty was having a wonderful time with all the new smells and things he could pee on and he totally forgot he was hungry. He had all ready filled one bag with poop (he is always a two-bagger) and we were approaching a pair of ladies coming towards us.

I reeled in his leash, had moved to the side of the path, squinted into the morning sun and had “Good Morning” in the back of my throat when I stepped off the edge of the path.

Truthfully, it couldn't have been more than a 4 inch drop off but it was enough. I have talked to others this has happened to and we all comment on how quickly the ground can get in your face. That was not the only thing in my face however.  My face was resting nicely on the poop bag.

Trust me, old lady fat doesn't work as well as baby fat for cushioning nor can I recommend poop bags for protection.  However, those two ladies were on me in a split second and one kept saying as I was gathering my wits, ”Its OK, I have your dog.”

I felt like saying “Forget the dog, get that darn poop bag.”

My previous splats were private affairs that no one witnessed. This was different, there was suddenly a crowd of feet around me. I was hurting a bit but nothing serious, I was mainly embarrassed. Then the really embarrassing thing happened, I tried to get up.

There was a time I could spring up from a cross legged sitting position on the floor. Those days are long gone. Two of the ladies tried to help me up but I wasn't budging.

Then I knew what I had to do. I rolled over onto the grass, got to my hands and knees and then pushed myself up right with my non-sore hand. One of the ladies said,”That is just how I have to get up.”

Somehow that gave me the giggles and it made me feel better knowing I was among like types—old folks and my embarrassment faded.

I checked all my parts and everything worked, if a bit stiff. I did leave a goodly amount of DNA from my hand and elbow on the path which could clearly convict me of asphalt assault if charges were pressed. Needless to say, we didn't finish our walk and Mighty never got to fill his second bag.

So what I am thinking is that the circle of life is catching up. I am  creeping into my senior / toddler phase. I was really enjoying second childhood, not so sure toddler  is going to be nearly as much fun. I guess as long as I am still bouncing and can laugh at my self, I will adjust.

Anyone else noticing the toddler phase creeping up on them? Oh yes, for those creative types looking for a cottage industry, designing senior clothes with extra padding just might sell.