Must Come Down…
Night before Halloween I was toolin’ along in the back yard chasing after one of the dogs. It was late. Dark. Almost midnight when Gravity stepped out from the shadows.
I said, “Hey, what’s up, Gravity.”
And he said, “Not you, babe.”
Then he had his way with me and I fell for him. Hard.
Right on my face. SPLAT with a side of KA-BOING as I bounced off my nose. On concrete. Of course it was concrete…with all the acres and acres of dirt and grass around here I had to land on the hard stuff.
Oh, the trauma. And the drama. Because there was blood. Lots of blood. And since no one told me not to, I cried. Because everything hurt and I thought I would soon be spitting out my teeth…which thankfully I did not.
But it was quite the OMG factor none the less.
The next day I went to work looking like this. People I work with said, “What happened?”
‘Bikers and bar fights,” I told them. “Pirates.”
They rolled their eyes, said I was a dork (affectionately so) and told me to go home. So I did. But first I went to the co-op for people food. And the feed store for pony food. And this is when I discovered something VERY interesting.
No one made eye contact. No one said a word except for strained chit-chat as they went out of their way not to look at my face. Even people I knew well enough to know by name. But not well enough for them to know my husband didn’t beat me or I’m not dying from some flesh eating bacteria.
The fact that I looked different made them uncomfortable.
Which made me uncomfortable.
Think about that. And remember it next time you have one of those awkward moments with a stranger, someone who looks a little…different.
OUCH! So sorry you fell – and you are so right – folks are just uncomfortable around stuff they don’t understand. Sad. Anyway hope you feel better soon – and glad you still have your teeth!
Judy Shreve recently posted..Encroachment
Oh, I’m much better now, Judy. Still obvious something happened but healing nicely. I don’t even think about it now when I go out and people are much more open about their curiosity now that I’m not so raw.
And yes, I still have al my teeth!!! 🙂
Oh my gosh! That looks so sore! Hope you feel better soon!
Carin recently posted..personal photography in art journaling
Nothing hurting now except my vanity, Carin. 🙂
Feel better soon, beautiful Susan – no bumps or bruises can change that! 🙂
Thanks, Bonnie! It’s been nearly a week and I’m much better now. 🙂
So sorry to see the evidence of messin’ with Miss Gravity. Glad to hear that you are not in pain, Susan. I went Splat! last spring and had a great shiner but was a hero to my grands. Told them I fought off ninjas:)
Cynthia
Ninjas! Now why didn’t I think of that, Cynthia? I’m discovering the stories are much more exciting, more interesting, then reality.
But then again, it’s that way with everything in my life… 🙂
First up-so glad that the effects of Mr. Gravity having his way with you wasn’t worse. Secondly, good for you braving the world in spite of not looking or feeling your very best. Life does go on-with or without us. On Friday night I attended a dia de los muertos gig at a little gallery in my neighborhood. I went to see the ofrendas but there was also a little group of locals showing their art. One of the artists had clearly lost a fight with Mr. or Ms. Fire as his face and hands were severely burned and his teeth were doing some kind of mysterious thing. My first thought was “this is most likely a veteran of some stupid war.” Perhaps. Perhaps not. No matter. I asked his name-Lupe. I asked about his art. He was self taught and truth be told it was pretty good. If any of it had been a subject matter I was comfortable hanging on my wall I would have bought a piece. Somehow The Joker just doesn’t work in my decor. I left realizing that it takes incredible bravery to be in a world that values body image as our does when your own leaves a bit to be desired. Lessons abound don’t they? May all your owies heal easily and gently….
We are so much more than our body, aren’t we Pam? What a magnificent world we’d be living in if everyone understood that. No one would hide in shame from what they looked like. No one would be kept from reaching their full potential just because they’re different.
Good read and a great lesson. Glad you are better and people are no longer avoiding eye contact 🙂
Still have a couple of scabs, Pat, but I don’t even think about them and people don’t seem to notice.
No more face plants! 🙂
You can’t get more real than pics of a bloody nose. I hope you feel better! I was a little confused at first as to who gravity was. Hmmm… it took me a while, but then when I got it I enjoyed the play on words. Cute.
I saw a girl today that was about 12 and she was in an electric wheelchair. I was behind her, so it wasn’t an awkward moment or anything like in your story, but as I looked at her I was thinking that she was going really fast in that thing and her Mom was having a hard time keeping up with her and it made me chuckle. She looked happy and seemed to be enjoying herself heading into the fabric store. I was thinking that her life must just be as normal as anyone’s from her perspective. It is not until we impose the belief that things should be different than they are that we run into trouble. Thanks for sharing your lovely story. I thought your insights were very interesting!
Amy Putkonen recently posted..70 – Practicing the Tao
I’m glad you figured out about gravity, Amy, otherwise you’d soon be joining me in the face plant club. 🙂
Children take things in stride easier than adults. We can learn a lot from them, can’t we?
Ouch! Glad Mr Spouse didn’t come in for questioning, like when Rosi bashed in my lip and the guys in the ER were SURE it couldn’t have been a horse whodunit. Sorry I’m only reading about it now, sorry I didn’t offer you big sister kisses to make it better sooner!
Mr. Spouse was out of town, far away and oblivious to me planting my face on concrete. Good thing, he doesn’t do well with blood and tears.
I will take the big sister kisses anyway 🙂
xo
Almost 2 months later I stumble upon this post you wrote much earlier. I’m so sorry that you had this terrible fall Susan. I hope that your pretty face is back to what it was before. xo
Thank you for reminding me to be a little bit more compassionate and caring when I see someone who might look different.
xo
Suzanne McRae recently posted..Merry Christmas!!
Fine and dandy now, Suzanne.
Did you stumble upon this via the “you may also like” suggestions at the bottom of the original post you read today? It’s a cool plug-in. If you blog on wordpress and want to know more about it let me know and I’ll look it up for you.