It's official. I'm old. I have proof in the pain I feel every time I move.
Colorado is a tough state to visit. I'm not used to living at this altitude. I don't get altitude sickness, but being this close to the sun is a big change. My skin is dry. My lips are chapped. I can't stay hydrated no matter how hard I try. My hair turns dry, brittle and flat. Plus it bleaches blonde.
This year I have a new problem. It started a little bit in Honduras over the past couple of weeks as the seasons changed. I'd wake up in the morning with stiff and sore knuckles, right where my fingers meet my hand. After moving around a little, the achiness would disappear.
Here, in Colorado, it is really bad. Day by day it's gotten worse until now it extends into each joint of my fingers, then my big toe, now all of my toes and even my knees. It hurts to unscrew a the top of a honey jar, or my vitamins. It hurts to stand and walk.
Yesterday I was in enough pain that I couldn't take it anymore so I walked over to Walmart and grabbed some Glucosamine Chondroitin. So far it's not helping. I think it's because the weather is in the 20's. I'm used to 20-30 degrees Celsius, not Fahrenheit!
I'm trying not to complain because that afternoon of sledding may be the highlight of my visit to the US. I love snow and outdoor activities that involve snow. Especially with my nephews!
I'll never move to Arizona. No matter how much my joints ache, you won't catch me there. But hobbling around like I'm 80 is not my style! Hope these vitamins kick in soon.
Today my friend Gene invited me to go out to dinner. Gene, his daughter, Adela, and I always get together when I'm in the US. We discussed the fact that a year ago at this time many of the people we love were without jobs. Then we gave thanks for the fact that those same people all have jobs they love now.
I told him about the new things I am doing in Honduras. I, too, really enjoy what I am doing these days. We agreed God is so good!
I am looking for a church to attend here, in Colorado. So far I've done a lot of Googling. Nothing seems to really catch my eye. One church here has between 1-3 mission teams going out each month to countries all over the world! I thought that was impressive. But I think it would be hard to be part of a huge church since I am only here a few weeks each year. Building relationships would be difficult.
The forecast is for warmer weather next week. Looking forward to that. I always heard people talk about this aching joint phenomenon. First of all I never thought it would happen to me, and secondly, I never realized how much it hurts. Yup. I'm getting old.
