The other day, I was sitting on the back porch watching my kids on a surfboard trainer with a ball on the bottom. The practice is to get on the small board and balance as if you were on a wave. It looked so easy, and I have had outstanding balance all my life and was partially good at sports, so this was a no-brainer.
So, my thinking is that this does not look dangerous because it is only a few inches off the floor. What would be the risk of trying, which would build up my ego from being old? How is it dangerous to try this in my home, on the living room floor? Not very, in my opinion. I decided to give it a try, and the following video shows my effort.
Thank goodness for the foam dog stairs that I fell on, although I did hit my elbow. This was great family time, and the grandkids got a good laugh, while the wife was concerned and thought I’d injured myself badly. I’ve told her and the kids it is ok if I fall, because I am good at it with a lot of experience. You know from playing sports and drinking when I was younger. That didn’t go over well. Realize, though, that my wife and family members (adults) all laughed, which is good as far as I’m concerned.
The clincher was the other day at dinner with the family, when my daughter saw the video for the first time. She could not stop laughing as the kids repeatedly played the video of my fall. After the laughing was over, she told her kids no more taking dangerous stuff to the grandparents’ home. I think the last time I fell was trying to jump rope. One jump and I landed on my ass. Unfortunately, no video. I have been banned by my family, minus the grandkids, from trying again, but I will do this again and post the success.
The next time I try, I will be more aware of my surroundings and make sure there are soft things around for my fall, which will happen. I told my family that I am doing this so they remember me after I'm gone. After all, I am 71 and a liver transplant patient of 9 plus years, a blessing from God giving me a second chance to make memories.
Family is everything and cannot be replaced by others, although at times kids try, but most come home after they wake up. I have experience with what I am talking about; love and never giving up are what Jesus would want, and it always pays off in the end. It is easy to give up but hard to fight when the going gets tough, especially if you don’t believe in God, who is there to give you strength, all IMO.