I remember getting out of bed in the morning to muscles that didn’t ache and joints that did not crack and pop. I remember being able to see without the thick-lensed glasses I fumble for on my bed stand. I remember not needing a minute to loosen up, my feet screaming from their heel spurs, before I answer my children’s calls from their beds. In fact, I remember the time before children. An actual alarm clock woke me then. If it was not set, I would sleep the morning away.
My body doesn’t rest like that anymore. These past forty-one years have taken their toll. Though I consider myself healthy, I cannot stop the effects of aging…or the trauma of childbearing….or the enduring back, leg, knee, and foot pain after years of running. I imagine carpal tunnel will soon set in with all this writing.
But I don’t live with regret. Life has been abundant. I am amazed by the life that surrounds me: a marriage that grounds me, two healthy children who inspire me, a career that consistently challenges and fulfills me. I have certainly made mistakes in this life. But even the mistakes have fed the abundance for what they have taught. When I took that job where my boss turned crazy and whispered to others of my incompetency, why did I let her whittle away my self-confidence? Why didn’t I quit sooner? I would now. When that boy’s hand found my inner thigh under the table and slowly moved to that place I knew he shouldn’t touch, why was I so surprised? And why didn’t I say “Stop!” I would now. Why did I, in my young rebellion, rage at my mother, tell her I hate her, and push her, hard, away from me? I wouldn’t now. Wisdom has been born from my mistakes. Failure has led to my growth. Abundance gratefully rises above the pains of my past.
Aware of my daughter’s cry, but not yet fully awake, I kick my legs out of the pillows I have used all night for lumbar support. I knock the bed stand and hear my glasses fall to the floor. Bending is a nightmare. My hamstrings are so tight. I can’t see a thing. Swishing my hands like metal detectors along the carpet I search for those damn glasses while my daughter cries and cries. On my knees my body remembers everything, every ache, every jab, every taught tendon. Every one of those forty-one years travels with me as I search. Finally, the tip of my finger catches the ear of my frames and I jump up in triumph. “Mommy! Mommy!” She cries. “Coming! Coming!” I shout in return as I take off towards her bedroom in glad pursuit of the rest of my life.
**This post was written in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Writing Challenge.
Teri McDowell Ott 
37 responses to “about remembering”
That’s lovely, and I can identify with so much of it! Alienora
Thank you Alienora. I appreciate it!
Teri
Loved it Teri and finally glad to know you are catching up to me! Peace! at
Teri, loved it but I am glad to see you are catching up to me with my aches and pains! I do the pillow trick also.
Great to hear from you, Cathy! The large, long body pillow is a must now. 🙂
I’m 27 and I don’t want to get any older. I’m moving to Neverland.
I’m taking my kids with me, they are growing up to fast.
Believe it or not one day you will look on these tough days as the good old days. The aches and pains of the 60’s are even more pronounced. But they fade away when you see your children and the grandchildren.
So true. Im in my 50’s and look on my 40’s as s very rich. Both my parents are in different shape. my father is very active and only talks periodically of his lifes difficulties, pain etc. My mother has pain most days and it shows in many ways through words and actions. Both i love dearly! My sister gave birth to her daughter only a year ago. Yipee. Here we go again.
You just described LIFE. When I was in the rat race of trying to make a living I hid from the concept as distractions. Now I am retired (hate it) but it gives me the time to reflect on things. I empathize with your parents. Pain comes with the territory. I, like your dad do not like to talk about it.
Oh what time does to us. Great post and congrats on getting freshly pressed!
There is that saying that goes” the true sign of old age is when you walk across the floor in the morning and you realize its your bones making that noise and not the floor”. Wait until you pass the big 50. Then it really gets fun.
We pay dearly for abusing ourselves when we are young, but in the end, when all is said and done, we have learned to appreciate the journey for those gems of wisdom, earned.
I love your writing style! Oh, and we must be twins. My glasses, heel spurs and multiple aches mimic ypurs. Advil is my best friend.
😉
I loved it, thanks for your post, it really helps me now!
Have a gooday! ^^
Kara.
Sorry you body aches so at only 41, have you tried yoga?
We are all going to live again and again and again. That is what I like to belive
I really enjoyed your work. I’ m 63. It gets worse. Nine grands. So take it easy every now and again. Hugs, barbara
Reblogged this on sweetmelissa1954 and commented:
i love to remember — your thoughts are appreciated…
I am 18 years old and I know I’ll reach that stage someday, thanks for sharing 🙂
I hope and pray that, when I reach the age of fourty-one, I will have much to regret, but also much to give me joy in my years of life. I suppose that the pain can only enhance the joy that you have in making your way toward your daughter-and purposeful living.
Remembering to remember,,,,, remembering not to forget,,,, thats my theme in life
Ahhhhhhhh, the sweet joys of filed thoughts, never to forget.
This post reminds me of my mum…she always talks about the years she spent on us but she so fondly looks at them…maybe life is a bittersweet thing.
thanks for sharing this and congratulations on being freshly pressed.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouraging words.
We remember different things, but we both are remembering and the memory gives birth to the gratitude that rejuvenate us
Thanks for posting this, keep posting.
http://www.india.seawindsolution.com
Reblogged this on The Virtual Virtuoso and commented:
I can relate to this post; at 36 I am starting to feel my age too, and I remember the days when I didn’t.
enjoyed it thoroughly
A beautiful post shining born out of a beautiful mindset. Thank you! 🙂
Reblogged this on travelertobe.
Beautiful post. It’s through our failures and struggles that we learn and grow so much. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Hey..I just nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. Use this link to my blog to get the details http://smridhimalhotra9.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/liebster-award-nomination-i-dont-even-know-what-its-exactly-still-i-am-excited/
Reblogged this on Your-Daily-Tonic and commented:
You could have been describing me, but you some how made it sound beautiful and romantic.
Beautiful post. I am http://www.crookedword.com and I too write about experiences. Your words inspire me!
so well written. i am really encouraged by your honesty, your reflections, and the truth and realism in your words. thanks for sharing this.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment.
Awesome and Inspiring! Thank You For Sharing!
Reblogged this on Something to Say and commented:
This week I decided to dip into my archives and reblog my most popular post. This was written in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Writing Challenge and was featured on Freshly Pressed.
super fun reading it ..and some timely reminders and home truths too s….more years, more memories for me 🙂