Woodland Therapy

[bethlakshmi]

Quite a bit of my bad mood has been fixed by some time spent in the woods, with good food, sewing something shiny. Even on a rainy day, that's a pretty fabulous thing. I'm not usually much of a tree-hugger, I like to think of myself as an urban chic agnostic. But sometimes green growing things are just exactly what you need.

After grabbing my sequin trim, I set out to Zathmary's - a local gourmet deli/food emporium. They are a little too pricy, but serve the fabulous purpose of a made-for-me lunch plus many little packages for Axis snacking, instead of dinner. Unfortunately, they were slow - the deli lady was slow and had trouble hearing/understanding me (a native English speaker - so not a language issue), and then the checkout was super slow. And then a guy dumped a bunch of creamy salad dressing in line. And... on my way back from a third checkout at another part of the shop, I slipped, and went right down. My legs went out from under me, and I took too much of a thump on my right knee.

So far, no bruise (crosses fingers), but it's cranky. Sore to the touch, and a little stiff.

Why is it that as soon as you fall:

A - a bunch of people ask "Are you OK?" - no, I'm not OK, I just fell. Give me a minute and I'll do a quick damage assessment. But right now, I'm working on not crying like a toddler. And if you don't answer immediately, they run right into panic mode.

B - some guy tries to help you to your feet by pulling on your arm. This is really, really bad, for me. First, I'm shocked, and trying not to cry. Second, I don't really like being touched by people I don't know. Third, I'm not ready to get up yet - I'm trying to figure out what might be hurt bad. Fourth, pulling on my arm doesn't help me in the slightest - approach me from the front, where you can see my face and take some of my wieght.

About all I could choke out was "Not hurt, just shocked" and "please! no!" when the guy started pulling on my arm.

I collected my food (nothing damaged!), and hobbled to a dinner table. Funny, but no one is interested once you are standing. Now, it's a minute later, you're old news. Having one person look me in the eye and say "all good?" at that point would be really helpful. At a time when I can manage a response that is more sane than "WAAAAHHHH!!!! I WANT MY MOMMY!!", I'd be glad to give a damage assessment and thank you for checking in.

As soon as I got set up for lunch - place setting, purse and bag down - I wanted to cry. Really, really alot of crying. I had a bad email before leaving for lunch, so I'm a little fragile. I packed up, went to my car, and had a good cry. Then I drove to a nearby park and had a wet little walk to a bench in woods overlooking a lake.

Things are much better now. Time to get something done... I hope.

Comments

[aminahfiddler.livejournal.com]

All good?

I walk almost everyday at work. It's not real pretty along the side of a industral/shopping center area. Once side is a big field facing a mountian, the other ugly store fronts. But, I do get to see nature. I do like watching the seasons change. Wonders what a good walk outside in fresh air will do.

I hope you have a better afternoon.

Hugs!

-a

[learnedax.livejournal.com]

We say "are you okay?" because "will you live?" sounds too morbid. Gauging where someone falls between bruised and mortally injured is easiest to do by seeing what kind of a response they can give you. It would help if people waited a couple of seconds, but then if you are seriously injured time could be critical.

[lakshmi-amman.livejournal.com]

Absolutely - if I had fallen from a great hieght - please do see if I've broken my neck, need CPR or stitches. But... slipping on an oily floor, and landing on a knee (not a head) doesn't really deserve this kind of panic.

[elizabear.livejournal.com]

I'm very fond of asking "are you okay?" and then following up with "how can I help you?". People should realize the worst of the accident is generally about 5-15 minutes after it happens, when you're not so shocked and the pain receptors start reporting in.

Hope you're doing well ...

[suba-al-hadid.livejournal.com]

Hugs!

[pamelina.livejournal.com]

Tree therapy sometimes works for me, too.

Hope you're all better now, and your night was fabulous.

[flyinglemurs.livejournal.com]

I am so the same way when I fall or hurt myself. I *know* logically that it really doesn't hurt *that* bad and I should be all grown up and mature and wait a mintue and gather myself together. But instead I feel like crying and want my mommy, even though I usually don't act on either, somehow. And you are totally spot on about the people. Its like - I don' even KNOW if I'm okay yet BACK OFF people...