Deep Thinking

I usually begin the year reading Officer Buckle and Gloria to first graders. Great chance to talk about safety, award winning books, library rules, etc. This year they all get to admire the 3 inch bruise on my arm from my fall last week. I didn’t want to show them any of the other bruises! I had dashed in to the library for just 20 minutes when I noticed one piece of vinery had fallen from the ceiling near the window. I had left the ladder there, but someone had moved it, so rather than hunt it down, I simply slid the table closer and hopped up. While adjusting that, I notice one a little further was loose also and I stretched to fix it. …. Yes, the table tipped and catapulted me towards the window. I quickly realized that I didn’t want to go through the window so I tried me best Spiderman imitation trying to cling to concrete blocks. It seems that is a superpower that I haven’t inherited, so I ended up dropping down and slamming into the concrete ledge before landing on my back with one leg caught in the air and the other twisted under. Right after me, my cell phone landed right beside me. I lay on the ground thinking to myself:
…I hope no one was looking out the courtyard windows and saw that.
…I hope my legs aren’t broken because I’m supposed to drive over to get my husband lunch.
…Thank goodness the phone is here so I can call for help.
…I wonder if I lay here long enough and anyone did see it, they’ll think they were imagining things.

When I did finally get up, I was able to find and slide back on my feet my high heeled sandals and hobble out the door. I had deep scratches from the concrete on one arm and big bruises on the other. I ended up trying to elevate and ice my leg for 3 days, but nothing was broken! Yippee! What a great start to the year! I believe many teachers have warned their students about proper safety and suggested that they just look at my arm to see what can happen when they don’t do what they are supposed to do.