On slipping on the ice

I slipped on the ice on Tuesday.
Well, when I say slipped,
it was quite a spectacular fall.
Darcy Bussell would have been impressed with my lines.

After my head ricocheted off the ground,
I lay doing my impression of a starfish,
and closed my eyes,
not sure what would happen next as the tears started.

Within seconds I was surrounded.
Half the hairdressing salon had borne witness.
(That will be helpful in my dealings with Tesco who hadn't gritted their land.)
The nice man from the Estate Agents helped too.
Within minutes I was sat in the warm,
being given First Aid.
The kindness of strangers was overwhelming.

Two days later the only thing that really hurts is my neck.
All the way round.
The Dr says my tissues and muscles are damaged.
And you know what is most painful?
Lifting my head.....
I know.

And so these are my thoughts:

No matter how careful we are,
there will be times when we fall.
It will hurt,
but there will be people ready to lift us again.

Sometimes 'the helper' becomes 'the helped',
That's ok,
in fact it's good for all concerned.

I felt ok yesterday.
I was able to walk about.
It was more or less business as usual.
And then I went to bed.
And boy was I in pain.
You can't get comfy in bed without using your neck muscles.
Sleep proved elusive.

Often we think we're ok
and then evening comes.
And in the darkness, the truth emerges.

Be careful out there!
Take care of yourself,
Keep your head up.
And if you fall, look for the people waiting to lift you.
They'll be there.


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