Picture this:  a fat, 49-year-old on roller skates, dressed in full body armor (or so it seems, with all the head-to-toe protective gear), using walking poles for balance, creeping along, trying not to fall too often or too hard.

Since chemo, my balance has been somewhat disastrous.  A physiotherapist came to my home to work with me for six weeks between chemo and radiation.  It helped, but the physio exercises could only do so much.  I clearly need to continue working on my balance, so I decided to go the roller skate route!  I can manage only about 20 minutes at a time because it’s so taxing for my nervous system to work that hard.  Nonetheless, I’m reasonably sure that if I stick with it, I will make slow and steady progress.

Having said that, I have to admit that my excursions are not a pretty sight.  Recently, I was creeping along at marina park, the aforementioned fat, 49-year-old.  I was feeling somewhat foolish, and trying to blend into the background, when who should approach, but a five or six-year-old boy on his bicycle.  He was accompanied by his mother, who was on foot.  When the little boy saw me, his mouth dropped open.  His voice full of admiration and awe, he exclaimed, “THAT’S COOL!!!!”  His mom replied, “That’s roller skating.”

Suddenly it dawned on me — I am a primary teacher.  Five and six-year-olds are my constituency!  As long as I’m still impressing them, I’ll be okay.  😉