AWAKENING TO SURPRISES

Not All Surprises Are Welcome

It was a rocky slope with enough texture that I was sure I wouldn’t slip, but suddenly I was airborne about to fall face down the slope. I jerked my body backward and to the side as a large “pop” and searing pain in my ankle assured me that I had taken a wrong step. It was April 13, a beautiful sunny day for a hike along the Big Hungry River. Through fields of Trillium, we shot pictures and “ohhed” and “ahhd” and loved each moment of the hike. When we returned to the cars, we decided to go down to the river and shoot a waterfall some distance away. It was then, that it happened. I was fortunate. One of the hikers had been an emergency room nurse and was prepared with ice and a bandage. Fortunately, the hike leader and my fiance are big guys and with the help of two others were able to carry me back to the car. My fiance was lovingly with me every step of the way – through the endless emergency room wait, surgery, and the aftermath. Last Tuesday I came home from the hospital.

Time For Contempation

So this is why I didn’t write a blog last week. I was learning to live with one leg immobile. When I’ve had time to process all this, I’m sure it will be a blog post. Somehow this weekend, I will teach a memoir workshop from a wheelchair at the Blue Ridge Book Fest and talk to people about my book Awakening to the Dance: A Journey to Wholeness. I guess I need to learn a new dance for slippery slopes. Thank you all for following my story.