THE INCIDENT
It began as an ordinary Sunday morning, though it was indeed a special occasion to be savored. My husband Tom and I would go to church for Sunday school, attend worship service, and then gather with our friends in the church fellowship hall for lunch. A dedication later would unveil a very large window to exhibit the work of a small group of dedicated people who had participated in a stained-glass class. Leaving Tom in the sanctuary to assist our "special needs" members, I exited through the rear door to step outside and go to the church fellowship hall. Just a few steps into my walk, my left foot twisted and rolled up under me. The pain was nauseating.
Somehow, I managed to keep my footing and stumbled quickly to a bench …show more content…
Soon, the doctor came in and with little empathy explained, “Mrs. Jennings, the reason you are experiencing so much pain is you broke it.” With probably a bit more sarcasm than was required to make my point, I responded, "Well, thank you; that's just what I wanted to hear from you."
Finally, we left the hospital with me awkwardly struggling with my first ever set of crutches. Crutches, I would find, would not be a workable mode of assistance for me.
Following a fitful night, I awoke early on Monday morning. As was our custom, Tommy woke before me, made his tour outside in the quiet of morning, and returned to the kitchen to begin his ritual of having a glass of orange juice and starting the coffee brewing. I sat up on the side of the bed, stretched myself somewhat awake, and reached for the crutches I had parked beside the bed.
Heading for the bathroom not more than 10 steps away, those crutches and I just didn’t see eye to eye. I headed one way; the crutches exhibited a will of their own, and I landed on the hardwood floor in a loud crash of flesh and metal. Thus, I earned my "first stripe" of aging warfare: one very large bruise tattooed on my upper left
It began as an ordinary Sunday morning, though it was indeed a special occasion to be savored. My husband Tom and I would go to church for Sunday school, attend worship service, and then gather with our friends in the church fellowship hall for lunch. A dedication later would unveil a very large window to exhibit the work of a small group of dedicated people who had participated in a stained-glass class. Leaving Tom in the sanctuary to assist our "special needs" members, I exited through the rear door to step outside and go to the church fellowship hall. Just a few steps into my walk, my left foot twisted and rolled up under me. The pain was nauseating.
Somehow, I managed to keep my footing and stumbled quickly to a bench …show more content…
Soon, the doctor came in and with little empathy explained, “Mrs. Jennings, the reason you are experiencing so much pain is you broke it.” With probably a bit more sarcasm than was required to make my point, I responded, "Well, thank you; that's just what I wanted to hear from you."
Finally, we left the hospital with me awkwardly struggling with my first ever set of crutches. Crutches, I would find, would not be a workable mode of assistance for me.
Following a fitful night, I awoke early on Monday morning. As was our custom, Tommy woke before me, made his tour outside in the quiet of morning, and returned to the kitchen to begin his ritual of having a glass of orange juice and starting the coffee brewing. I sat up on the side of the bed, stretched myself somewhat awake, and reached for the crutches I had parked beside the bed.
Heading for the bathroom not more than 10 steps away, those crutches and I just didn’t see eye to eye. I headed one way; the crutches exhibited a will of their own, and I landed on the hardwood floor in a loud crash of flesh and metal. Thus, I earned my "first stripe" of aging warfare: one very large bruise tattooed on my upper left