Totally Desolated

The quote in the title comes from Little Women (the movie - don't know about the book) and describes the way I felt yesterday after injuring my left wrist, not being able to play in golf league, going to the doctor (a big plus that I was seen), getting x-rays and then having the doctor tell me that I had torn a ligament and would be out for 4 - 6 weeks while the ligament fully healed.

Of course, there are worse things in life. And, of course, there are millions (billions) of people who have a LOT more important/significant problems than my poor ligament and my poor self now that I will not be able to play any golf (or racket sports . . .) for the next little while. Yeah, I get that my little injury is not as bad as the majority of bad things in the world that could happen. Still, it kind of stinks and is no fun.

In related news, two days ago, I had the chance to teach the Young Men (12 - 18 years of age) a little bit about the game of golf. I showed them the fundamentals of grip, stance and swing and then watched them hit a lot of golf balls on the range, with increasing success as they became more adept. After the range, we did a little bit of putting and I had three putting contests, which they enjoyed, the winners getting a soda as their prize. It was a fun night and I really enjoyed teaching them and then watching them improve in leaps and bounds. Next Wednesday, they plan on playing a game at the local executive course, scramble format. This past Wednesday evening, I told them that I would play them and put my score against their scramble score and would buy them a soda (each) if they came out on top. Now, with the wrist thing, I will not be able to play and that is a bit of a disappointment.

Thinking about the current 4-6 week forced hiatus, I wonder aloud if there was/is a reason for the injury. Is there something I need to be doing in the next few weeks that I wouldn't be able to do if I were practicing and playing golf? If I find out that there is a reason and what that reason is, I'll let you know.

Back to the desolation, er, devastation, I came home, a bit in shock, I suppose. I told my lovely wife what had happened and she was very caring and also sent the news to our girls and her sister and mother. Everyone responded with empathy (her sister and mother have both had injuries that have stopped them from doing something they wanted to be doing). Her sister called and asked me all about it - a very thoughtful gesture.

Thinking about it, I guess the most shaking part about this was the fleeting but powerful thoughts that I had really done something permanent and the question of would I be able to play again (I know, a bit fatalistic, but sometimes that's where thoughts go). In reality, the loss of playing in league is probably the most impactful to me. I really enjoy playing the game with guys that also enjoy the game and who are good guys who care about and have fun with their fellow man. My wife had a good idea and suggested that I go to the clubhouse and be there when they finish each week - which I think I might do.

The actual injury happened while I was on the range, before league last night. I was hitting wedges and doing very well. I had also been hitting a 3 iron (also very well). On the swing that produced the injury, I set up well, had a good back swing and down swing. The ball was sitting up a bit and when I came through, the club head seemed to go a bit too fast and out of control and I felt a sharp pain in my left wrist. I thought that maybe I had just tweaked it because of an awkward swing and hit a few more shots, including my driver (pain was there and didn't change much - which is to say, it hurt). I thought, however, that I might be able to play so I went to the first tee. My first swing was not so bad but I didn't roll my hands over (the ball was a block to the right). My second tee shot hurt a LOT and at this point, I started thinking that I should stop. But, I reasoned, if I swung a bit easier, perhaps the pain would not be so severe. So, I finished the second hole and went to the third tee. I teed up the ball, got set to hit the driver and then remembered the pain I had with the last tee shot. I decided to stop and get to the doctor.

A saga, I know, and fairly insignificant in global terms but, that's what's going on. I hope your day and your week have been much better. Have a good one. KipK

birthday day

Today is my birthday.

I am over abundantly blessed with a lovely wife, two lovely daughters, great in-laws, gainful employment, a healthy body and mind and a bunch of other wonderful blessings.

Despite some last minute changes, my birthday was a good one, one that I really enjoyed. The first of my original plans that changed was a game of golf at a nearby course. Due to the accurately predicted, very windy (24+ mph constantly gusting) weather, I postponed the golf game for a later, more settled day and instead had breakfast with the aforementioned lovely wife. Then, while my wife was at the hair salon, I went the library and found a couple of new books that look interesting (and looked into a non-related subject I wanted to know more about). When I finished at the library, it was still gusting and blowing, so I came home to cut, trim and edge the lawn as well as trimming a couple of bushes (while doing the cutting, trimming and edging, I thought of a good subject for a non-fiction story, one that I will enjoy researching and writing - I'll keep you posted). The wind kept it cool while I cut and trimmed, a double bonus. The lawn looks good, in case you were wondering (okay, maybe not as good as the baseball field - but good!).

After the lawn and bushes, at the insistence of my lovely better half, I went to one of my favorite places, the driving range, and practiced putting (1 hour),

chipping and sand shots (1 1/2 hours)

and then finished with full swings (the final 30 minutes). I left the range satisfied with the work I did and the finely honed skills which will help me score better the next time I play in league or a regular round of the King's sport.

I drove home from the range and we ordered and picked up one of my favorite foods, a meat lover's pizza from Dominos. This was another change in plans as Friday night, after going to dinner (a birthday eve celebration) we went to Kroger and purchased a steak for me and salmon for her, planning on grilling both for my birthday dinner. We could have them tomorrow for Mother's Day.

I opened cards and presents and was wonderfully surprised at the thoughtfulness that went behind the presents. I also checked the blogs of wife and daughters and they all had a birthday message for me (again, very thoughtful).

During the course of the last couple days, I have received multiple wishes of happy birthday via e-mail and telephone.

If everyone was as lucky as I am and had the great people around them I do, I think the world would be a pretty happy place.

Have a good one. KipK