Monday, August 1

There's Life in the Old Gal Yet

Did you ever do something so stupid that you simply couldn't believe you did it - and then realized that people saw you do it???

When Mel and I were delivering the wedding flowers on Saturday, we pulled up outside the Cathedral downtown and he handed me an altar piece while he took the other one. I walked into the sanctuary carrying a huge arrangement - but that is something I have done a kazillion times before. What I did that I have never done before and surely shouldn't have done this time is that I held the arrangement up so that it was essentially covering my face and blocking my vision. I was further distracted by the fact that there were 10-12 people there, preparing for a Baptism, and I hadn't expected to see anyone. The really stupid part is when I was following Mel and forgot there was a step UP to the altar - about 5" - and I tripped over it. My legs buckled and my knees came down full force onto a terrazzo floor. Guess what? Terrazzo is hard. 

I was stunned, and for a second I thought I surely had broken my kneecaps. Several people rushed to my aid, but all I cared about was the flowers. Mel got the arrangement from the floor where it had fallen - and it is a testament to his good floral arranging mechanics that not  one flower fell out of it and miracle of miracles - nothing broke! The other miracle is that I didn't utter a curse word (which I might normally do under those circumstances) - a really, really bad curse word -  maybe even a whole series of them!

The men who came to help me started trying to lift me off the floor, but I thought it was best if I got up under my own steam, so I did. My left knee started to bruise a little and the right one had some skin knocked off, but it didn't bleed. I thought I'd be much more bruised and swollen, but it didn't happen. There was no ice to put on it, so I made do with a cool wet washcloth I had brought to work in my tool kit, to stave off the 101* heat. I guess that was enough to keep it from swelling.

On Sunday morning, I got an email from Mel asking if I was sore, and the truth of the matter is that I had forgotten about falling and I had to feel my knees to see if they were sore....lol
They weren't - and aren't - and I really can't believe that they aren't - but I am very,  very glad that there are no aftereffects!! I'm feeling sort of indestructible about now, but I know I have to be more careful in the future.

9 comments:

Pat said...

I know that awful feeling when you suddenly realise you are going to hit the ground. I last did it outside our doctor's surgery tripping over a lowered kerb for the blind!!
I wish people would realise not to immediately try to get you up. I need time to get myself together before being vertical again.
So glad no ill effects. Every fall teaches us something

Granny Annie said...

I am so happy that you are okay. That sounds like a major fall and probably would have landed me in the hospital. Sounds like you are a good tumbler.

Arkansas Patti said...

So very glad you only really hurt your pride and the flowers were unscathed. You bounce well Judy.
Lets hope that no one had their cell phones handy and caught a video for Youtube. You could go viral if they did.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I don't move an inch if I can't see my feet. I'm that kind of klutz. I'm glad that you are okay - that is so scary!

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Embarrassing yes, but how fortunate you are that you weren't hurt worse.

Kay Dennison said...

I'm so glad you're okay! Be careful, Sis!!!!

Looking to the Stars said...

So glad you're ok and yes I've done things like that :)

Grannymar said...

What a relief to know you did no major damage. Getting up quickly is actually the worst thing you can do. Better to sit a few minutes and make sure nothing is broken.

Please take care and do what I should do - slow down!

Sparkling Red said...

Wow, you are super-lucky. A friend of mine fell on ice in the winter and hairline-fractured one of her kneecaps. It's still paining her. You have some tough patellas there, lady!