Trying Something Different Than Dad

Why didn’t anybody tell me this was going to happen?

I never understood why my father took to the couch when he turned 70. But he did, and for much of the rest of his life that’s where he remained.

Mom used to say it was because his legs hurt. I left it there. I was young and healthy and full of myself. No way was I going to follow in his footsteps or lack of them. That was his choice. Not mine.

I’d stay active until I tipped over. Or so I thought. Then I turned 70.

I’d accumulated a few aches and pains over the years, but certainly nothing debilitating. It was my dog Dot who first...