Yeah, I'm whining....

I know that I'm making a big deal over a broken knee. But here's the thing, I can't play team sports anymore, and that makes me old.

The old part, that doesn't bother me so much. It's the not playing sports anymore - team sports - that has me bummed out.

I have been on a team of some sort since I was six. It's how I learned to work with people, how I gained self-esteem and how I met people when I was in a new place. It's how I've met friends, how I've managed stress.

The suggestions of running or aerobics feel hallow - they're missing the point. Team sports was a social activity for me. I hate working out, and playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, softball - that was how I exercised, but it was mainly how I had fun.

Now, I admit, I'm a competitive person. (I hear some of you snorting out there.) I like winning, I like the "struggle." It my fun.

It was also a big part of my identity. I know this is minor in comparison to things many people ar dealing with, but how do you let go of something that was so ingrained in you, you didn't think twice about it? It was just there.

And how do you go forward without it?