Falling
I
think it is something I inherited from my father. Although he was spry for his
age, he had the propensity to fall. Not sure if it was something that descended
through the Semsch genetic chain or if he came by it on his own. Either way, I attribute
my stumbling to him. Hard as I try to walk a straight line, minding where I
place my feet, falling comes naturally to me.
This
physical characteristic is not helpful as I age. What once I considered a
physical quirk has now become a serious liability to my health. Stumbling over
an uneven sidewalk or miss stepping off a curb only adds to my uneasiness.
This
past January as I was leaving a local Urgent Care, I was not minding my step. I
had gone there to get medical help for my persistent cough that later turned
into pneumonia and several trips to the hospital. As I exited the building I
slid on a sheet of black ice, spread eagled on the sidewalk somehow avoiding
hitting my head. As I lay there catching my breath and checking out body parts
for injury, I couldn’t believe what just happened. Luckily the receptionist saw
me lying there and helped me back into the clinic. After a thorough exam and
found intact, I was assisted to my truck.
Last
week on Christmas Eve day I took Daisy (our dog) on a walk through the
neighborhood. Crossing the street to
avoid icy sidewalks, I hit a patch of black ice and did a backward spread eagle
in the street. With my breath knocked out of me and Daisy licking my face, I
prayed that I had not broken anything. Slowly getting up, I could feel the pain
of stretched tendons and a sore neck. Limping the half mile home, I went
immediately for hot pads and Tylenol. Very happy to report no broken bones.
In order to survive the winter, I am now
wearing strap on cleats and a walking stick to navigate whatever weather
conditions are before me. I am reminded of the words from the Old Testament
book of Proverbs: “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed
straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and your ways will be
established.”
Amen
to that!
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