The Three-Shot Regret (and Other Midlife Adventures)

I think of the Sunday Stroll as if I were taking a walk (which isn’t going to happen these days — bad knees) or sitting at a café with a few friends, talking about the things we talk about when we get together.

Those talks run the gamut — our children, our health, our partners — honestly, just about anything. They’re some of the best times. I know I should be out enjoying the weather (and we really are having the best fall weather right now), taking in the last vestiges of sun. But I’d rather spend a morning with friends or my sisters, several cups of coffee, and some decent pastry — any kind of baked good, really.

So, welcome to my circle.

How was my week? Well, it was … interesting.

Four days ago, I decided to get my COVID, flu, and shingles shots all at once. Hmmm. I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone.

Right now, both arms hurt like hell. I felt lousy Thursday night and into Friday. And in true family fashion, we decided to do our shots together — Steve and I got the three-shot cocktail, while my adult boys got the flu and COVID shots. We’ve all been in our own corners for a couple of days, nursing our wounds.

Today, my shingles arm still hurts. They say that’s the shot that really kicks your butt. I don’t usually react to vaccines, but this one is special. Still, I’m glad to have gotten shot No. 1 out of the way. The next one’s due in two to six months, and there’s no way I’m missing that window — because I am not doing this again.

Next up, apparently, are the RSV and pneumococcal vaccines (lucky me). I’ll do those… in two weeks. Maybe. Probably. Ugh. I will.

This past week, my column looked at falling — not metaphorical falling, but the literal kind. It’s a big issue, and honestly, a frequent topic when you’re sitting around with friends. It’s just so much easier to get injured now that we’re older.

There’s a woman on a reality show I watch (BIG CONFESSION HERE) who doesn’t do athletic activities anymore. She’s probably in her 50s and said it’s because she doesn’t want to get injured. Injuries at our age take longer to recover from — sometimes, they change everything. I’m so there.

After nursing a husband who broke his ankle and was sidelined for 12 weeks, I think injuries should be avoided at all costs. I know it sounds pathetic, but it’s true. I also know a doctor who broke his foot in his late 50s, went through multiple surgeries, and now shuffles when he walks. It’s heartbreaking — he was such a vibrant, active man.

That’s why I thought the prevention part of my column was so important. Because let’s be honest: I’ll never remember all the “how to fall safely” techniques. But taping down carpet edges, keeping the house well-lit, and adding grab bars where needed — those are the things that make a difference.

My mom still refuses to use a cane. Her doctor says she should, because she’s anxious about falling, but she sees it as a sign of getting old. I wish she would use one — we’d all worry less. I get it, though. When my knees are acting up, I think, “What’s the big deal?” But for her, it might feel like an admission.

So now we come to the part of the stroll where I ask: how was your week? Anything interesting? Anything you want to talk about?

Would I be able to react quickly if we were suddenly attacked by zombies? I’m watching a movie on Netflix right now, and honestly … I’m not sure. I hope so. (Brian, what do you think? He is my zombie collaborator.)

Maybe that’s what midlife is — finding humor between the aches and the pastries.

— Rindraty Celes Limtiaco is not done yet. Email me at [email protected]

💎 1. A good watch: The Gentlemen on Netflix. Smart, stylish, funny — and the kind of show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. (Warning, there’s quite a bit of cursing in here so avoid it if you don’t like that.)

💎 2. A read worth your coffee time: The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. It’s about rediscovering resilience and the upside of discomfort — this is kind of an ironic choice for reading here. But, hear me out, I am not suggesting you get in a cessna and fly to the arctic but disruptions in life are not necessarily a bad thing. In this case, the author ties his research to health and wellness. It’s not a long book – 220 pages or so? But it stays with you.

💎 3. A sound I loved: The rustle of fall leaves outside my window, mixed with the soft whir of the heater for the first time this season. Simple and grounding. I also love it because I tend to pay less for heat than I do for a/c – do I? I’m just so tired of the heat. I love the fall!

💎 4. A tiny joy: Baked goods. What’s not a joy? Baked goods that are gross. I find I have to sample quite a few frogs to find those items worth sticking to. I don’t mind. Sampling is my jam.

💎 5. A reminder: Take the shot — whichever one you need this week. For your health, your peace, or your future self.

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Sign up now!