A TALE OF TWO DECKS

25 years ago we built a deck in our back yard…

It was a project that still astounds.

I remember picking up 50 pound deck blocks

I remember placing them in the ground.

I remember screwing down each deck board

I remember feeling blessed 

I remember working for hours an hours…without needing a rest.

I remember Deborah burning in our names and the date.

I remember thinking this was fun!

I remember the satisfaction 

of a job completed…a job well done

But that was 1994 and yesterday…with a frown

We decided our deck was too old and weathered…

and it was time to take it down.

I remember building this old deck

I remember completing it in November…

but as I started taking it apart…

there were things I don’t remember.

I don’t remember working at a pace so arduous and slow

I don’t remember everything being this heavy 25 years ago… 

I don’t remember breathing so hard

I don’t remember… did I wheeze?

I don’t remember how difficult it is 

to crawl on my hands and knees.

I don’t remember having as much trouble bending over.

I don’t remember stopping to rest as often.

I don’t remember after only one hour thinking…

Please!…just put me in the coffin…

I don’t remember waking up the next day

with every body part painful to the touch…

Isn’t it funny…how in 25 years

that deck would change so much?