Monday, October 05, 2009

Speed Bump

Sometimes a metaphor is so strong that it can't be avoided.

Yesterday, I tripped on a speed bump in a parking lot. My body lurched toward the pavement and was stopped by my face. There was no chance of getting my hands out in time. Nothing appears to be broken, but there is plenty of swelling and some lovely bruises forming. The injuries list includes the right side of my face, both knees--especially the right one, pavement burn on the edge of my right hand. And this morning, my entire right arm is sore and weary. Oh, and lest we forget, my spirit is officially damaged.

This act was humbling on so many levels. Any vanity I may have been storing has left the building. The facade of always being in control is lain bare. Necessity is requiring me to rely on others. Welcome to my personal h-e-Double Toothpicks. Want to see what it looks like? I've included a happy picture for comparison.

The smile was painful, though it did light up my eyes a bit. Here's what it feels like:

Awesome. Couple this with lots of blubbering and vocal distress, then tell me why I told the nice stranger that I was fine and could get up on my own.

Enough misery. I have been knitting a bit:

It is a basic, comfy shawl for my daughter who's been dragging around in my coziest clothes and then losing them in her bedroom. Yarn: Cascade 220. Needle: Addi Turbo, size 9. I may need to keep it near my person for a few days after blocking, so it smells like 'mom' too.

The pattern is simple and free. You can find it on Ravelry. Click here.

12 comments:

Terri Stegmiller said...

Well OUCH! Don't worry, you are not alone, most of us go through an ungraceful moment now and then. Hope you feel better soon.

Fibra Artysta said...

O-U-C-H...heal quick. Poor Cathy!

Anonymous said...

Oh Wow! now you know, if we were all together and one of us did that we would stand around laughing histerically and having a PMP moment.. but ouch not so much.. I feel your pain! Heal fast and take advantage of having someone wait on you!

Judy Alexander said...

I can a bit clumsy myself so I know how this can happen! I once tripped in the train station in Hoboken on my way home from work in NYC.

tom said...

i know a dutch girl who crashes on a regular basis .....
were you at a wine tasting "g"

Oma's Patch said...

Rob always laughs at me when I trip on Air. I've had two trips on sidewalks in the last 5 years that put my face only a couple inches from damage. The second one must have been an amazing recovery since I normally don't do push ups, my arms and shoulders were in a lot of pain after that.
Good luck on the recovery.
Beautiful shawl =)

~ kate

mary said...

ha! i just did that too...the other day while walking sam. just tell people you play hockey!
hope its feeling better!

LynnDel said...

Wow - your various acts of visual artistry, fabulous in themselves, pale in the face of your verbal dexterity!

Sea Air Arts - Deb H said...

Oh, NO!!!!! Get better fast and let the kiddies wait on you hand and foot - it IS their turn ;o)
Heal fast and I hope this doesn't interfere with Houston.
Hugs!

Vivien Zepf said...

Feeling better?

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