“PALM SUNDAY - ADVERSITY”

By Shirley M. Carolan

We never know when adversity is going to hit, and if you’re like me, you certainly don’t go around expecting it or preparing for it. It can happen in an instant, even on a bright, warm, sunshiny day, while walking your dog, with birds chirping and blossoms opening and sharing their fragrance to a promising world.

That’s exactly the scenario I experienced on Sunday, March 16 (Palm Sunday) when adversity reared its ugly head and literally struck me in the face! My mind was thinking about the plans I had for day ahead, e.g., visiting the beautiful Carlsbad Inn Resort Hotel, seeing and taking pictures of the colorful artists displaying their exquisite paintings, and saying “hello” to the red, English telephone booth!

I was also quietly pondering on leaving my little dog at home, even though she relishes going everywhere with me in the car, and particularly to the Carlsbad Boardwalk where she is oohed and aahed over. I didn’t want to leave her too long in a hot car, even if I could find some shade, while I want about my business.

Voila, my right foot hit an uneven chink in the sidewalk sending me unceremoniously catapulting head first to kiss the pavement! The impact was sudden, loud, and excruciating. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the blood flowing down the sidewalk into the street. My head was pounding but I was able to see out of one eye and finally was able to hear my voice cry out for help. Unable to move a muscle I saw my little dog bend over me and lick me. I knew she was OK and then I realized I am alive, I am alive!

Help finally came from a couple on their way to church that morning. They stopped their car, came up to me to determine how they could help and called the Fire Dept. Next came curious neighbors, mercifully blankets, and the Paramedics. It took some time and doing before the paramedics were able to turn me over and get me in a sitting position with blood streaming down my face. By now, quite a crowd was hovering around. I heard people shouting they would take my dog while paramedics rushed me to Tri-City Hospital.

Out the corner of my eye I saw my little dog looking very bewildered as strangers picked her up. Then I saw two neighbor/friends and felt a ton better. I knew they’d follow the ambulance up to the emergency entrance at Tri-City Hospital.

When Dr. Cummings, the ER doctor saw me I told him I was very vain but wanted to know how I looked. Without skipping a beat he said “Beautiful!” Since there were no mirrors around I chose to believe him. Medication to ease the pain helped me relax a little and accept the day I had so wonderfully planned was not about to happen! Fate had chosen a different outcome for me that day.

So many x-rays were taken of so many parts of my body that I lost track of them and I was in too much pain to really care. Miraculously my eyeglasses had survived the fall, albeit very scratched up but still I could see out of them. Perched on my nose however they were very uncomfortable, and then I was told it was because I had fractured my nose!

How very grateful I am to total strangers who stopped to help me when I needed it most! Also, the many neighbors who have since come to my aid. I am a very, very lucky woman indeed!

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist ● Speaker ● Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com