The Great Potato Fall!
Yes – that’s the title of this Blog and it contains a great lesson of “Slow down, look where you’re going – and some things don’t have the importance you think they should.”
Back in January of 2004, my eldest niece, Sherrie, was working and living with me for a time in West Hollywood. I adore all my four nieces, and it was beautiful to have that time with her. I wanted to prepare her a special dinner that night of this “fall” and had everything planned perfectly – except at the last minute and I realized I wanted baked potatoes – OMG – no potatoes and I wanted her to walk in the apartment with the heavenly smells of dinner and those baked potatoes.
I got into my car and headed immediately to the market – time was so crucial! I quickly got out of my car and rushed across the parking lot to get the potatoes in the oven. However, I tripped on a curb guard and went down with a grand splat! I thought I heard a bone crack but thought I’ll just have a bad bruise. Getting up was another stark reality – the pain was suddenly excruciating, and I was not able to pull myself up. People began to gather, and a packing boy came out to me. The first thing I tried to do was reach into my wallet to give him cash to go in and get the potatoes for me. He said in a very compassionate way – “I don’t think you’re going anywhere, an ambulance is on its way.” From that moment on – the sacred vision of my niece walking into the beautiful aromas of that dinner faded and to the hospital I went.
I was able to call my niece and let her know – hey – I took a fall – I am not at home!
The surgeon indicated that I had a broken femur, and my hip might need replacement. Fortunately, they did not need to replace the hip, but the recovery process was substantial. I required the use of a catheter temporarily until I could resume normal activities. It took over two months before I was able to return home and navigate the stairs to my apartment.
I stayed with my Beloved friend Dr. Elizabeth Marshall in Simi Valley. There were sacred moments in that healing time – the tender care from Dr. Elizabeth, prayers and love from my congregation, friends, and peers. My niece was fully supportive through this healing journey – as well as my other niece, Terrie and my great niece and nephews.
Elizabeth had a mixed breed white dog named Roscoe. Every night, Roscoe would wait by my bedroom door and accompany me to the bathroom whenever I needed to go. What pure love that was to feel and experience.
The most beautiful event was a visit from my friend Joe LaSalle, a physical trainer and amputee. He visited my church one morning in his wheelchair and offered to assist with my full recovery. My insurance would not cover ongoing therapy – Joe was my miracle worker to see me fully healed. He gave me the exercises to practice daily, and I healed fully. At 83 I still jump up and down with JOY whenever I feel that energy to express.
This “potato fall splat” highlighted health and life transitions for all splats. Slow down – look at what really matters – walking for that potato would have been such a kinder experience for my niece to come home to and step back from the sense of urgency whenever possible!
There are urgent moments – catastrophic disasters – urgent care, however, in the daily journey of life we create urgencies that do not exist. Breathe – place your hand on your heart – step back – and allow yourself to lift that stress and reclaim your inner power and strength,
Our deeper soul work doesn’t have to take place out of splats – but from ongoing daily tender care and mindfulness. I seek to live from that Truth – and see the miracles that carried me through that great potato fall!