The Ripple Effect

The year was about 1985. High School Art Room for an after school meeting. Someone (my boyfriend at the time) thought it would be funny to horse around and try to startle me. He ran up behind me, grabbed me about the knees. I flopped backwards over his shoulder.

Head first.

Concrete floor.

You do the math.

I awoke to an EMT jabbing the bottom of my foot with what felt like a butcher knife.

He wanted to know my name.

I could hear him.

I could faintly see him.

I could not respond to him.

Thirty-five years later, I'm sitting here in pain this morning. Like I do most mornings. I have 3 compressed discs that are results of that day. I also have a visual perception problem sometimes...objects appear 6 inches to the left of where they really are (means I bump into door frames a lot!).

The visual perception started immediately after the accident.

The discs have deteriorated over the years.

I tell you this not for your pity or sympathy. But to share that I don't harbor bitterness for that day. There is no unforgiveness in my heart. He was just being a goofy teenager.

I also tell you this to remind you that your actions...small seemingly goofy actions...can have a lifetime of impact on a person.

You may not drop someone on their head onto a concrete floor.

But you may use words. Words can injure for a lifetime too.

And I also tell you to remind you that no matter what your circumstances. NO matter what curve balls life has thrown you. You can still get up every morning and make a difference. You still have a story to share.

You still matter.

And the world needs to hear you.

Now by this time you are probably scratching your head on why in the world I'd attach a photo of the beach to go with this post.

Because I am hurting. Heat usually helps it feel better.

Like heat from the sun. At the beach. 🏖

I NEED to be face down in the sand right now!!

~Health & grace,

Lynn