Reflection #24. Falling
The Gap Year: Reflection #24 Falling
by Patricia D. Brown
“Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road.” – Clare of Assisi
I was walking outside a store when I tripped and fell off a curb. I lay for a moment on the sidewalk in shock. I was just surprised. My shoes were flats, the corner was well-marked, and I hadn’t been rushing. Yes, I was thinking of other things than walking, but not in a way that would have led me to forget how to cross a street. I thought I was a goner. I’m in fairly good shape, and I’m not prone to break my stride. So the fall came as a big surprise to me.
I must have looked really silly falling like a heap with my arms waving. I looked up to find a woman jumping out of her car and rushing to me. Was I okay? My knee was bleeding, but other than that nothing hurt except my pride. I scrambled to my feet and assured her I was fine. She helped me gather up my purse and shopping bags which were scattered about me. “I can’t believe I fell. Thank you,” I said to her still dazed.
We wish we could take our falls lightly and consider the incident humorous, but most often we don’t. Are we becoming one of those people who just fall for no reason? That only happens to old people. This is one more moment when we realize we’re not as young as we used to be. As a result of a fall, not to mention having a significant birthday on the horizon, we’ve begun to think about what it means to get older. We’ve never been to such a place before. It seems to have snuck up on us. Of course, we’ve thought about aging before. How could we not? Even so, the idea that we are getting older has somehow not fully struck us… until a fall.
Since breaking my leg in a boating accident a few years ago I now have trouble getting up off the floor. And in the mornings my fingers are stiff when brushing my hair. The silver lining is that I’m getting more confident that I can always find a workaround. I’m more convinced than ever that life is all about change. As we age a new set of bodily challenges begin. We are only this one body. It’s all we are and ever will be. So, I guess we’ll live with it as best we can.
Now it’s your turn
Take time to reflect and if in a group, share as you feel able.
As I consider my body I:
a) think about what it means to get older.
b) keep a sense of humor.
c) find workarounds.
d) adapt, adjust, and revise.