The Power of a Hearty, “Good Morning!”
How a stranger’s camaraderie set the tone for the day
Yesterday I had an early morning follow-up appointment for my broken leg. It was a bitter winter morning, and I was dragging as I wriggled into the passenger seat with my non-bending leg extended and butt shifting around in search of a comfortable position. I laughed to myself as I thought about how I must have looked like my dog, who insists on vigorously pawing her blanket — repositing it at least four times — before sinking into a comfortable spot.
Warming my cold hands, I hugged the paper cup filled with hot coffee and, knowing I’d have to part with it once we arrived, sipped quickly. The caffeine only intensified my excitement which would soon turn to border anxiety. Hoping some of my restrictions would be lifted, I had waited for this day with the anticipation of a child counting the days until Christmas.
Hair blowing in the ice-cold wind (wishing I had brought a ponytail holder and appropriate coat), I crutched through the parking lot, stepped onto the building’s sidewalk triggering the automatic door to open, and hopped inside. I love to walk with crutches. Every day I crutch along the streets and cul-de-sacs of my neighborhood, envisioning myself training to compete in some sort of crutch Olympics.
