I wake up with a cramp in my calf and remember I’m wearing my night splint for the old-man foot. After dinner last night, I was hurting something fierce. I kept walking around the kitchen like nothing was wrong, making sure we had enough plates and spoons, helping Jake get the right soda since he had opinions on the sell-by dates.

I took a lot of pain relievers before bed and fell asleep feeling old and decrepit. Sighing, I remove the hard plastic device and limp my way ...