Stumble - sprain - painful tying... it seems
to be my path.
A couple of days before I was going
to tie at Sowbug, I stumbled by the White River and made a not so
smooth touch-down. <"SSCRTSS!!">, said my wrist and suddenly everything
wasn't 100% wonderful anymore. My focus changed from fish and flies to bandages
and ice-packs. Tying at Sowbug was awesome, but not very
pleasant.
After returning home, I had a new job
waiting and it cut down much of my tying. My meds make me really tired and
without that hour of sleep after getting home (loud juvenile reason), I have no
energy left to do anything in the evening either. Now though... Easter... FOUR
DAYS OFF WORK!!!!!! This was going to be a tying holiday for sure.
But yesterday afternoon it
was time for the next stumble. On my way home from work, I stopped at a
pizzeria to borrow a phone book and stumbled in the door. I wasn't drunk, but
the employees there didn't even give me the benefit of a doubt when they
saw my horizontal entrance. Two big guys came, grabbed me under the arms and
threw me out again. The door is a couple of steps higher than the pavement and I
had no chance to make a controlled landing on one foot...
<"SSCRTSS!!">... that noise again as my ankle gave in.
Today, my foot is far out of
proportions, the entire outside of it is purple... and my tying weekend is
ruined. The second I sit up, the blood goes straight down to my foot and a
minute later it feels like it's about to detonate. This is even worse,
since it's nothing wrong with my hands but I still can't tie.
Following isn't really tying-related, but I
want to share it anyway:
Even though my foot hurts bad, I can
still smile as I think back on yesterday. I got to see some true
kindness. As I was lying there on the pavement 7 or 8 people just passed by
without saying a word. Then came an old man with a cane, hardly able to
walk himself and helped me up. The guy was fighting like it had been his mission
in life to help me and after a good bit of work, we reached a bench where we
could sit down and take a breath. I had my aimpoint on the restaurant on the
other side of the road, so I could use a phone to call for a taxi. I'm
talking short distance, but it must have taken us at least 15 minutes
to get there. I wanted to give him something for helping me but he said no. I
nagged a bit and finally he said "maybe a pizza". It turned out he was
homeless... hadn't eaten in 2 days. I bought him a pizza... and after a bit
of work I also made him accept $30... enough for another 4-5 meals. We sat
there talking for quite a while, then I called for a cab and he helped me
outside. He left when the driver took over, but as I was getting into the
car he suddenly returned. He put his hand on my shoulder....... gave
me my wallet and told me I had dropped it... and then he was gone
again.
How 'bout that? Hardly able to walk
himself but fights for his life to practically carry me. Then standing in
the restaurant with people eating around him, and me wanting to give
him something... with a screaming stomach he actually says no...
three times. The _expression_ on his face when he ate is something I won't forget.
It looked like he hadn't eaten for a year. But still he had to be
worked REAL hard to accept money for more. Then, finally: Standing "home
free" with my wallet in his hand, having seen that what was there would
feed him for at least 2 weeks... he rushes back to give it to
me.
How often do you meet total strangers being
this kind these days?
/Nick
