For the first time since Feburary last year – right before we left for our epic RV adventure, I went to see my chriporactor. This visit was quite different from the first time I walked through the clinic doors. I was using a cane and could barely walk that time. This was maintenance. An attempt to get back into a regular routine.
There has been a few times since last February that I could feel my back warning me. I’ve been doing my best to respect and listen to it more, and you’ll remember I bought a second-hand snow blower to lessen the winter load. I’ve also asked the kids for help when removing and replacing the holiday decorations from the attic in the garage.
I have been feeling some hip pain in bed the past few months. They probably don’t like me going from bed to work desk and back to bed each day. There are car rides for school pick up and drop off, and walks with the dog(s), but otherwise there isn’t a lot of daily work-day movement.
I went home with some exercises, and feeling like I had just been beat up, but overall my back seemed to take a sigh of relief.
This afternoon, I rounded up my dad and his brothers, as they gathered again for a few drinks, wings, pizza, and Buddy Bread from their favorite hangout.
I drop them off, they hang out, and they invite me back a bit early so I can sit with them for a bit before we head back on the road. I’m paid in leftovers, but this food will do me for two meals. I don’t need payment anyway. I told them I just enjoy seeing them together.
For three years, I was the only nephew and the brothers would take turns watching me when I was a baby. As I grew older, I would sit in awe as they played cards and spoke in euchre and poker code. I couldn’t want to be old enough to play with them. I also worked with three of the brothers over the years, and our extended family was always together, so I grew up close to my cousins.
They all pass me their cell phones outside, one by one, and ask me to take a photo of the four of them. I tell my dad to break out his flip phone. Mom had it.
I stayed at my parents for at least an hour after driving dad home, and sat and talked to my mom and sister.
Back home, Tara had made a stew and everyone had eaten by the time I got home. I had had a couple of wings at the bar, but couldn’t resist so the remainder of the wings was my dinner.