The weekend has officially arrived but the kid in me is gone, at least temporarily. With cramps in one leg and a knee brace on the other I struggle to want to “go out and play.” It’s only been five months since I was running every day, but it seems like forever. Being hobbled on one leg apparently put too much stress on the other and consequently led to tenderness in my knee. Right knee…left knee…wee knee. Yes, my prostrate is an issue, too! But, enough about these old age woes. 

Will my upcoming trip to Disney World help find that lost kid within me? Or, will I continue to be like Eeyore? “Eeyore is a fictional character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. He is generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic (pleasureless), old grey stuffed donkey who is a friend of the title character, Winnie-the-Pooh.” Did I just describe myself as an ass? “Grey” is certainly appropriate, “old” is realistic and “pessimistic” fits me well. Picture Eeyore with a brace on his knee, and that’s me, at least for the day. 

In a way, I’m not looking forward to going to the “Happiest Place on Earth!” I can no longer go on the rollercoasters after throwing out my back the last time on the Everest ride. I hate crowds and even loud children. I especially despise waiting in long lines. However, I will enjoy hanging out with my grandkids and seeing some of their favorite characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The massive expense is to celebrate their May birthdays now that school is out. The alternative, I suppose, is staying home and feeling sorry for myself. 

The kids will be in the parks, Disney and Universal, for four, hot days. I will only have to tolerate one. We will also be attending the Bluey musical in Orlando, another of my youngest granddaughter’s cartoon favorites, brought to life on stage.  At least, I can sit in air-conditioned comfort for that one. 

We’ll then be on our way to Portland, once again dealing with long lines at the airport and cramped seats on the plane – at least it’s not Peter Pan’s Flight. It will be good to see friends & family, get together for a “Leadership Meeting” again, and visit our old stomping grounds. I’m not so sure that they are looking forward to seeing Eeyore.