The M word..

These past winter months, I noticed unusual bits and pieces in my daily life. My knees and sometimes my elbows ache. Some mornings, my shoulder blade feels like it is on fire.

I told my husband one morning and he said simply, “Oh, it’s probably arthritis.”

“What?” I said. “My much-older sister suffers from arthritis, not me.”

“So what’s your point?” He said with a smile.

I have noticed since last winter that my body has shifted. I have discovered a couple more changes. My hips are getting wider and higher.

I’m obsessed with my hands. I examine my arms for liver spots. I’m afraid my hands will suddenly look like my great aunt Mona’s. Her hands looked like chopped corn flakes attached to flabby arms.

In the office yesterday, I noticed my toes were doing this strange curl up and spasm. I had to stop, remove my shoe and massage my toes and ankle.

I had a case of spring fever, so I went shopping. Standing in front of the dressing room mirror, I discovered a couple more changes. I think I’m looking more and more like a peanut covered M & M.

I left, stopping by the local fast-food restaurant. Perhaps the afternoon out would do the trick to lift my spirits.

Then it happened suddenly, with no warning whatsoever. I was minding my own business in the food lane, waiting at the counter for my fries when it happened.

The “M” word.

“Here’s your change, Ma’am,” chirped some freckle-faced kid who didn’t look old enough to count change, let alone have a job.

Nancee Harrison is a past columnist for the Greene County Daily World. Visit www.blondeladywithdarkroots.com or email her at blondeladywithdarkroots@gmail.com.