Recapturing the Joy

 To better understand this post, read this past entry: 

https://notnormalworld.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-price-of-joy.html

What follows began the morning after the night where the pain and exhaustion from the dislocated kneecap and the 2019 Worlds left me at the point where the only reason I did not consume all the pain medication I had with me was being physically unable to get out of bed to get to it.

As normal woke up just as sunrise was breaking. As I rolled over to check my phone for the time, felt a pop in my right knee along with the rush of fluid that occasionally comes with it. Was relieved and annoyed that it was the right knee popping back into place. Though physically tired, the normal things one needs to do became less difficult.

As I ate the hotel breakfast (which was much nicer than the one at the previous hotel where someone got shot earlier that week), was contemplating what happened. That is when the decision was made to find a way to get back to Worlds and this time have a performance worthy of the event.

Later that year, the play got better and on Thanksgiving weekend, won my first tournament featuring a field that consisted of more than one group.

Having decided to put down the controller in and pick up a barbel in 2020 showed with 10% extra distance and by year end, the rating was at a personal high point and 2021 started with a win.

One bad step on a rainy day in May eventually led to a frustrating balance of 2021 where round two was always worse usually due to physical issues. Multiple times (2 back, 2 right knee, 1 bee sting, 2 physically exhausted) round 2 should have not been completed and twice (toe and groin) round one should have never even played. The season ended a few weeks early due to a non disc golf leg injury which could have been far worse than it was. Unfortunately, poor eating habits developed from that and combined with stress of work shows on the scale.

2022 for the most part was a continuation of physical frustration. The elbow and large knee braces purchased have been used this year and one event needed the large one repaired.

Somehow, on an easy version of a course a month ago was able to play smart enough and make enough shots and putts to finish a surprising 3rd out of 17 in a B tier with the 5th best lifetime rated round.

Later today will be checking into 2022 Worlds near Peoria, IL. When the email about the event arrived three weeks ago, my "Christmas season" began and life sucked less than normal. When one spends the majority of the three years since the previous "Christmas" miserable, the happiness that balances it over a short time frame is amazing and no doubt will continue until the lack of ability and physical competency starts to show on the course. As I pulled into the course yesterday where the 36 world champions will be awarded on the following Saturday seeing all the signage, the tears of joy returned.

This week's goal is to appreciate the event more while it is happening since the pain, discomfort, and performance made the 2019 event almost literally become a march towards my death through the rocky hills of south central Pennsylvania.