Old bones


She couldn't pinpoint when it had started.  She suspected it had been going on for a long time before she had become aware of its existence.  It seemed to have crept up on her slowly.  Insidiously.  Stealing away from her, the ease of movement she had previously taken for granted. 

Subtly twisting and knotting the bones at their joints.  The arthritis was invading her.  Taking away her freedom.  Freedom to enjoy her life in quite the same way she had before.  The pain, she could cope with.  The slowing effect on her body, she hated.

It made her feel old.

_____________________________

This weeks '100 word challenge' prompt was this photo:-




It is a photo of old bones - an exhibit in the National Museum of Scotland in their ‘prehistoric’ section.

Don't forget to hop on over to 'Julia's Place' to see more entries.

Comments

  1. Rachel Selby8 May 2012 at 20:19

    How sad. It must be so frustrating that moment when you realise your body doesn't do what it's supposed to do anymore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ju9 May 2012 at 20:32

      ...very much so. I guess in one way or another it happens to most of us.

      Delete
  2. Older Mum8 May 2012 at 20:28

    That was very sad, but very true for any sufferer of arthritis ... my late grandmothet had it - it made her fingers curled and unmoveable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ju9 May 2012 at 20:31

      I had my Mum (an arthritis sufferer) in mind when I wrote the piece... Thank you for your reading and taking the time to comment.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9 May 2012 at 01:36

    the first paragraph was wide open with possibility and you narrowed it so effectively in the second. I am sorry it's creeping up on her, invading. easy to connect with; thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ju9 May 2012 at 20:33

      ...and thank you for commenting, I really appreciate it :)

      Delete
  4. Susan Mann9 May 2012 at 16:36

    Aww what a sad piece. Very well written. x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron9 May 2012 at 17:39

    Beautifully done. I'm beginning to know the feeling Already my mind outstrips my physical capacity and I'm only 43.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ju9 May 2012 at 20:35

      At 40 I'm beginning to feel it too...although with my current lack of enthusiasm for exercise I can't really complain too loudly! Thank you for commenting.

      Delete
  6. Judee10 May 2012 at 10:12

    Oh my, this speaks to me on so many levels. What a unique and interesting take on the prompt. Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ju10 May 2012 at 15:01

    Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a nice comment.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sandra Crook12 May 2012 at 14:57

    Yes, those bones look as dry as my own bones sometimes feel. An original take on the prompt - nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous13 May 2012 at 12:38

    Like Lorraine, I also enjoyed how the first paragraph could lead in to a number of scenarios. Really well written.

    ReplyDelete

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