Ouchie ouch!

When I was a child, I learned a lot of silly songs. Sometimes those pop into my mind at random times of the day. Today, as I was feeling kind of crappy, this one came to the forefront of my mind, "The Old Gray Mare Just Ain't What She Used to be."I don't even think I knew what a mare was when I was a young child, but the tune was catchy and we loved to repeat it during camp outs as we sat around the campfire when I was in Girl Scouts.

I finally figured out that a mare was an older horse, one that wasn't able to pull it's weight anymore, one that'd soon be put out to pasture or shipped off the glue factory. And that's just about what I feel like today. 

Almost everything in my body hurts. It's been a tough year for me. I've been through many medical procedures and I can tell my body is flashing red lights of warning. My time is growing short. Aches and pains are part of aging, but they sure do suck! I'd give anything to wake up from a good night's sleep and feel refreshed again. Instead, I toss and turn all night praying for sleep to come. After a few winks, when I crawl out of bed, I'm conscious of every limb and organ. But what can you do? You have to push through, just like an old mare plodding through a muddy field. And that's what I do. 

My youngest daughter keeps telling me I need a good massage. She says it will help my body feel better. I've never had a massage in my life. I don't like people touching me. She says it's always done very professionally, but I just can't. 

Maybe on our next cruise, instead of soaking in the hot tub and wishing I could stay until I turn into a big prune, I'll be brave enough to enter the spa and ask for a massage. Until then, I'll keep gulping Tylenol, using my heating pad, and try to think about things other than aches and pains. 

This afternoon, as we were driving through the countryside, I was looking at some beautiful farm land. I didn't see a single old, gray mare. I did see lots of young, healthy horses grazing on lush, green grass. As their tails swished back and forth, I imagined they were happy. Without a care in the world, they were soaking up the sunshine, feasting on sweet grass, and had no worries whatsoever. 

I'd like to be a young filly again but it's too late. Those years are long gone. Thank God for Tylenol! At least it helps a little and this old gray mare will just have to take more rest breaks during the day when she needs them. I guess that's okay...