Curveballs

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Life is hard.

I'm actually working on a book with that title.

I've often tried to tell my kids that just when you think things are breaking your way...

...life interferes.

This past weekend was fairly typical. I finished up paperwork for the week on Saturday and then actually wrote a few pages in Life Is Hard and then I set out to take it easy a little.

Dinner with Kathy and the boys.

Spread some ice melt.

A couple of movies.

Touch base with other family members.

Easy.

When I woke on Sunday morning, however, I had a pain in my right ankle.

"What the hell is going on?" I wondered.

Still, Matt was home for the weekend. The boys were watching sports and bantering back and forth. I really wanted lasagna.

I put the sauce on.

The ankle felt worse.

I stayed off it.

It swelled up.

By 7 p.m., I was crawling.

I literally could not stand up.

Sam retrieved my crutches.

"What happened?" My beautiful wife asked.

I didn't have an answer.

Curveball, I thought.

Monday and Tuesday were back-to-back days on crutches.

I still had no idea why.

I watched Quincy both days.

"Don't try to put your work boots on and go in!" Kathy scolded.

But this time...it wasn't possible.

And it really scared me a lot.

No matter how much we think we are set up for a nice long run of something good...

...life steps in.

And says, 'Not so fast.'

Someone once told me that God might insert such time-outs.

To allow for rest.

The verdict was inflamed tendons in my feet.

Why?

Who Knows?

Life Is Hard.

You get the breaking pitch when you're expecting the heater.

I never could hit the curveball.

Every once in awhile I damaged the ones straight over the plate.

But damn the curve.

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