Two Feet – Two Boots – What I learned from Sam and Esther?

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Sam and Esther Goldberg taught me many things.   But if I had to pick just one, it would be – life can change at any moment.  You don’t know when the moment will come or what it will look like, but things will happen quickly, and you must react.  What happens to us all is part luck, part help from G-d, and part making wise decisions.

This message resonates with me this week because on Saturday I took a misstep off a porch and my feet hit the stepping blocks in the worst way possible and both my ankles buckled on either side of the stone.

Here’s the thing, I was holding my 11-month old grandson, when this happened.   It’s one of those moments where the event itself lasts for about three or four seconds, but to me, it felt like it all happening in slow motion.  As I was watching myself fall, all I could think of was – “don’t let the baby hit the ground, don’t let the baby hit the ground.”

I’m so grateful that our protective superpower is so strong that the messages my mind could direct to my body were all about saving this child.   Somehow, my left hand and arm, which were holding him, lifted up as I went down.  There was a terrifying moment when I saw his head snap back towards the cement and my mind just screamed – NO.  I lifted him up with all my strength and he did not hit the stone.

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My son (his father) was there in a flash, grabbing him out of my arms.  I was left in a crumpled heap on the ground, with pain searing through my feet and legs, my head spinning in circles.  It felt waves of pain that pulsed through my body and I told those coming to my aid to leave me alone for a few minutes to let me get my bearings and allow the first waves of pain to subside.   People heeded my warnings and thankfully did not try to help me.  This gave me the space to let my head and heart calm.

When I was ready, two of my family members helped me up into a chair.  I could not put any weight on either foot.  I knew right away it was bad, but I didn’t know how bad.  We put ice on both feet and a few of my kids went on a treasure hunt through the neighborhood to see if they could find a wheelchair to get me back home. Ultimately, they returned with a wheelchair and I was pushed up hills and down hills until we finally reached our house where I was ceremoniously helped into a comfortable chair with lots of pillows for my feet and head.

I went to see an orthopedic doctor on Monday.  X-rays were taken and pronouncements made – right foot broken – clean break – no surgery needed, left foot bad sprained.  You will not be traveling to NY on September 3rd as you had planned.

Now I have boots on both feet and am getting around the house with a wheelchair and crutches.  Moving around the house is a challenge, getting food in the kitchen is a challenge. But I have my wonderful family to help me with my needs. I am very lucky.

I keep thinking that it’s remarkable how in the course of 3 or 4 seconds my whole life changed.  I went from a full abled, athletic person who runs, bikes, and swims, to someone who cannot even walk to the bathroom.  What runs through my mind the most is how this is nothing compared to the instant changes that occurred to Sam and Esther when World War II began on September 1, 1939. That horrible moment led to years of hardships, starvation and murder.  Both Sam and Esther lost their entire families.

So, given that my chance of full recovery from my injuries is extremely high, I feel that I have no right to complain about my current predicament.  That being said, I can say with a full heart and deep appreciation that the calls and emails I have received from friends and family have been heart-warming. Word of my injuries spread quickly, and I got lots of well wishes and people asking how they can help.   It is such a lovely feeling to know that people care and the desire to help someone who is having difficulties is a ray of light in the darkness of Covid19.

Thank you to all who reached out.  I feel your love and your concern.

I will heal and intend to get myself to New York city where my daughter will be giving birth to twin sometime in September and will be back running the loop sometime in my future.

I am deeply grateful for all I have in life and my good health – after all – I am fine, it’s just my feet that are broken.

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