I was reminded of that old saying, "Pride goeth before a fall" this evening. There I was, marching down the driveway with my trash bin, smug in my happiness that this winter has been, relatively speaking, a pretty easy one, and that this week my driveway, unlike last week, is completely clear of ice. Instead of fearfully shuffling my way to the end of my rather steep driveway, as per my usual winter method, I was just hurrying to get the job done and get back inside. For the first time in forever, I have not fallen this winter, and I was feeling pretty good about myself, thinking that maybe this would be my year. Really, I should know better. Sure enough, next thing I knew, my feet slid out from under me, and down I went.
It was weird, actually, the feeling of disbelief that went through me as I went down. I knew there was no ice, (even though I was in the dark as I walked) because its been warm, the streets are all clear, and there was no ice there earlier in the day. So as I felt my feet go, I was wondering what could be happening, because I knew I couldn't be falling.
Ah... ya.
But I didn't just fall, because that would be boring. I like to fall with style, like Buzz Lightyear. Instead, I went down on my elbow, then the trash barrel fell on me, (because evidently I wasn't going down alone,) and then I went the rest of the way down, flat on my back (but I did think to protect my head, so that's something, anyway.) Just for good measure, I had a hard time getting up again, too, because, well, I was under the rather heavy trash barrel, and also, I was on glare ice and it was so slick I couldn't stand up. So instead, I laid there and chortled like a deranged hyena for awhile, before crawling over to where there wasn't any ice, and slowly and very cautiously got to my feet. How I wish I had video of that.
How quickly things can change. One second, you are on top of your game, and the next, you are under your own trash barrel. I am sure there is a lesson in there somewhere, but I don't feel like picking through the garbage to find it right now.
Instead, I am just going to be relieved I didn't hit my head, my elbow is very sore but not broken, and I know where my heating pad is, because I'm pretty sure my back is not going to get better on its own.
Sometimes its the little things in life that lift you up. Even when they knock you down!
Happy Shrove Tuesday!
