Thank you. Your article resonates so much because as I write this I am lying on the couch with my legs raised instead of riding my bike, cutting the grass, vacuuming, or going to Aikido. I was at an Aikido seminar going on four effing weeks ago where one of my fellow Aikidoists came out of their roll and collided full tilt boggie into my lower thigh with their heal, head, or something, resulting in a nasty contusion which is taking forever to heal. I knew the risks! On the good side, there are definite indications that it is on the mend, for example I can now bend the knee far enough to climb stairs, but not far enough to pedal a bicycle unfortunately. Getting back to Aikido will involve overcoming fear, but I’ll get there. My high level of activity was — is — so much a part of my old guy identity, as one of my besties pointed out, that this period of inactivity is especially hard. In fact, I don’t know if you saw it but my most recent contribution to The Knob was the most depressing thing I have composed to date, if you discount the poetry of my adolescence.

I just keep praying for patience. Good luck with your sprain.