that old familiar feeling (m)

Lugging a huge box of ornaments up from the basement, I get to the top of the stairs and my heart is beating fast.  It's a familiar feeling and, yet, not.  Ah, I remember.  This is how I'd feel every time I climbed even one set of stairs. 

I look at the box.  Maybe 20 pounds in there.  It's a reminder that while I've made some progress and definitely feel better, the line between where I am and where I've been is not too far.

My goal is to lift this box of ornaments next year and not feel so breathless.