A younger cousin, responding to one of my recent health updates, stated: "Glad to hear of news of improvements. We just don't bounce back at this stage, but good news." I guess I had never stopped to think of it like that. Could she be right?
It was before Christmas that I fell down the stairs at home and found myself in a world of hurt. I have had surgery on my R Achilles tendon and was told by the surgeon it would take five to six months to heal. I had surgery on January 29th. I am anxious to be back on my feet and think that once I can put 50% of my weight on my foot that I'll be unfettered and on my way to business as usual. That may be magical thinking because I can't drive wearing the orthopedic boot. Prior to surgery, I wore the boot for about a month and took it off to drive. I find myself longing to do that again.
"We don't bounce back at this stage" was a troubling concept to wrap my head around. The sound of Toby Keith singing, "Don't Let The Old Man In" filled my thoughts. The lyrics include: "And I knew all of my life | That someday it would end | Get up and go outside | Don't let the old man in | Many moons I have lived | My body's weathered and worn | Ask yourself how old you would be | If you didn't know the day you were born"
According to Keith, he met Clint Eastwood at Pebble Beach in California. Both men were golf enthusiasts. Eastwood invited Keith to be his partner in a golf tournament a few days from the actor's 88th birthday. Keith asked him what he planned to do to celebrate?
Eastwood responded that he was going to shoot a movie. Keith was surprised. He asked: "Your going to dedicate the next three months of your life shooting a movie? What keeps you going?" Eastwood replied: "I get up every day and I don't let the old man in."
Two day's later, Keith had written the song, which was the theme song for Eastwood's movie, "The Mule".
I awakened this morning after the first restful sleep I've had in over two and a half weeks. I haven't needed medication for the cough in the past two days. I still can't talk, but I'm hopeful the ability will resurface this week.
I don't plan to let the old man in.
All My Best!
Don
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