Ankles

With age, the body aches. 

My ankles aren’t what they used to be, they’re fragile now.

That’s why I stopped playing soccer, even though I’ve done it since I was a little kid. 

Today I played again. 

Waiting for the ball. Getting the ball. Fighting for the ball. Running for the ball. Shooting the ball. Passing the ball. Losing the ball. Winning the ball. Scoring a goal. Seeing an opponent score a goal. 

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to keep playing, but I want to.

I already get enough physical activity: tennis three or four times a week, the gym three times. 

Both are far kinder to my joints. 

Tennis comes close to the satisfaction soccer gives me, but it’s not quite the same. 

Intellectually, I know I should keep avoiding it. Emotionally, I want to play.