Amid the Chaos

Maybe the pain pills have addled my brain, but I swear the gaudy robed wooden figures in the bookshelf are glaring at me. If they could speak, no doubt they would chide me in a sarcastic tone, “Well, that was smart wasn’t it?”

They would be right, after all they don’t call them the wisemen for nothing.  It was indeed foolish of me to place the painter’s step stool sideways in my effort to reach something on the top shelf of the cabinet over the washer. Since I’d done exactly the same thing numerous times before, I had no idea that the step stool could suddenly shoot to the left, sending me plummeting to the floor.

The fall put a halt to my decorating for Christmas.  Only twelve Santa or Father Christmas figures found their way to the mantel, joined by two other figures of indistinct classification. The rest of the crew that weren’t brought from the storage facility in the first load will have to sit it out this year, as will many other decorations, including the Christmas pillows for the sofa.

Not only will the decorating take a hit, fewer goodies are ready. But my sons and daughters-in-law have assured me that they will shop for groceries when they arrive, and will make some of our favorite cookies and candies. Since we usually have way too many sweets around over the holidays, having to make do with less might mean we don’t have to work off as many extra pounds in January.

I am refusing to let this accident completely spoil my holiday spirit. Or at least I can say that now, but I was very angry and cried several times from frustration and pain during the first couple of days. After the doctor finished stitching up my toe, as he was padding and wrapping my foot before fitting the orthopedic ‘sandal’ he said this was not that bad. When I said that it seemed pretty bad to me because I could barely walk or get out of a chair, he reminded me that it could have been a lot worse.

Then came his reminder that as we got older we probably shouldn’t be climbing on ladders. Older. The child disguised as a doctor implied that I was getting older. Seeing my dismay he reassured me that pain pills would lessen my pain and it would be a good thing to take them for several days. In a more gentle tone he told me that this inconvenience was a message to me from the universe. That it was to remind me that Christmas comes whether we are ready for it or not, so I should relax and enjoy the coming days.

If that’s the way it has to be, I’ll try. But I’d like to have a word with the universe, so I’m sending a little note.

Dear Universe,

I realize that I don’t always listen as well as I should, but I’m working on it. I’d like to make a pact with you. How about I try to listen more and you try to send me a more subtle message next time?

Yours truly,

Carol

P.S. Merry Christmas!

Clarification: Last Thursday I had a bad fall, as referenced above. I'm now in an immobilizer on left knee and the ortho sandal on my right foot. There are a few other bruises as well. I'll be fine. And the young doctor was wonderful and kind, but I don't recommend meeting him this way.