It’s so easy to blame myself for the last two months’ trauma. “If onlies” run through my head. If only I had paid more attention passing through security in Vancouver. If only I hadn’t been so careless playing with the dog. Sigh, an accident is an accident, is an accident.

About two weeks after my fall, I got a message from my youngest brother emphatically telling me to pick up the phone. My brother William who is 16 months younger than me had an accident and broke his left leg! (same as me). He lives in Asheville North Carolina and was preparing for Hurricane Helene that swept through in September. My 71 year old brother climbed onto the roof to clean out the gutters, caught his leg and had to be lifted off the roof by the Fire Department.

He spent a week in the hospital after surgery with no electricity, riding out the hurricane. Food and supplies were being delivered by helicopter. At home there was no damage to his house, only the loss of a freezer full of food. He is very grateful.
We talk frequently commiserating over our bad luck. There’s nothing like someone living the same experience, at the same time, to make you feel seen, even if they are a couple of thousand miles away. Maybe we have stupid genes running in our family but I doubt it. I spoke to another friend this week who reminded me that she broke her arm this time last year.
I don’t think we will stop making mistakes because we are older. We may think twice, or three times, but an accident, is an accident, is an accident.
DOS TORTAS

Dearest Alex,
You are not only human but you are a loving and sweet human – my friend and neighbor. I am so happy you are healing and that your brother is healing…please take good care xoxo
I am here in Malinalco – sweet place – for a weekend with my daughter and husband (who is almost through his chemo for lymphoma)…maybe we are all healing, from something…
I love your blogs – and my love to Lisa and Alice..and to you, my dear friend – L.
Lorrie Jones
Simple Serenity
simpleserenity.comhttp://simpleserenity.com/
253.312.3117
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Healing energy to your SIL. You are right, we are all healing from something.
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💜💜💜💜💜
Get Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef
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AA, so glad you’re doing better. I did the thought of you being laid up because you’re just normally too full of energy. Catch my hugs… Love you
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My dearest. I had so thought I’d get to see you. Your neck of the woods has sure taken a battering.
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Alex, we all find it challenging to recognize that our bodies have changed in subtle ways from our younger years. Our balance is not quite as good so we may not correct a momentary imbalance as easily as we did in the past. And a fall that once would have resulted in no more than a bruise can lead to a broken bone today. An accident is an accident. Cut yourself some slack. Glad to hear you are healing well. Marcia
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I think that coming face to face with our changing bodies is as hard as healing from those changes. I had very unrealistic expectations of the aging process.
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Glad your brother didn’t fall from the roof or something! And also glad his home is okay, unlike friends of mine in the area.
At this age, we do NOT go up on ladders any more! Make sure he knows that.
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I think he’s learned the hard way. There is payment for our stubbornness and staunch independence.
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Don’t beat yourself up too much. To err is human, as someone famous once said. Falls are a big deal for us oldies. I’ve taken one or two tumbles in the garden so it’s good to be aware and be prepared.
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I think it’s about letting go of control. The older I get the more I realize I can’t control anything. Except maybe the weather lol .
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My brother would tell my mother, “I don’t want to see you on anything higher than a piece of paper”. She is gone now and I miss her every day. May you both completely heal and continue to live a accident free life.
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I remember my father forbidding my grandmother from going down our basement steps. She was quite indignant but she could tell from his tone that he meant it. She never went down again.
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Just read your last couple of blogs–way behind since Ive been caught up in all things election.
Sorry about your leg. You’ve had more than your share.
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Thanks for the work. Every bit helps.
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How is another Hurricane? I can see why cider block is the building material of choice.
Be safe my friends
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Just a tropical storm. Nice cool day.
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