Screw it, I'm making a second cup of coffee.

It's been a leisurely morning.

As I cross the dining room, I feel a tightness in my shoulders and roll my head to try and loosen things up. When did every day start with walking around all lopsided-like? Seriously, how long have I been gingerly reaching for the kitchen cabinets during this coffee ritual so as to not accidentally send invisible knives through some unsuspecting region of my back?

I'm not that old!

Then, when I'm refilling the coffee maker's reservoir at the sink, my eyes wander to the window. One, two, three, four... Automatically, I start counting the seconds while the water's running. I don't know why I do that, but it's not something I even really think about. Across the street, the soccer fields at the park are empty. It's early morning on a Sunday—I didn't really expect anyone to be out there. I'm thinking it might be a good time to go throw a frisbee for Ava. But then I catch sight of a ball rolling through the grass.

Uh, where's... ?

A kid, maybe 10 or so, appears trailing behind it, wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and cleats.

Oh cool, maybe he's—

No wait—there's someone with him.

The first kid gives the ball a light touch with one foot, then kicks it towards his friend with the other. The friend catches up with it, in-stride, and fires a shot into the top right corner of the net.

I'm smiling, standing there at the sink, slightly leaning to one side and tilting my head back and forth. Then I see the boy who took the shot do Usain Bolt's "bow and arrow" pointing gesture thing. I shake my head, and make my way over to the coffee maker.

He probably doesn't even know who that is.

Then I gingerly reach for the cabinet to retrieve the coffee beans, without a grimace.

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Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
357/365

When's the last time someone unknowingly made you feel old (you can't say me, right now!)? Did it make you do anything differently?

onward. 

For more on this daily column and The MAP Year Project, read the backstory here. And if you know someone who'd appreciate this, pass it along.