When the Unexpected Happens

If I can just get on my knees, I will be able to stand up, I told myself. With my ninety-sixth birthday around the corner, I had recently had a few falls but had always been able to get up unassisted. But now, try as I might, my right arm would not cooperate, and all I could do was wait for someone to find me. It was my habit to contact some of my family members each morning, and it was still early enough that I had not done so.

I had been preparing breakfast and, with no warning, had awakened to find myself lying on the kitchen floor. I heard the phone ring several times, but I was unable to answer it. At last I heard men’s voices—it was my son and a couple of other men. They soon had me loaded into an ambulance and headed toward the local hospital, only to discover the CT scanner was not working. We then went to the next closest hospital.

On the way, the ambulance stopped, and the female attendants frantically pulled me on the stretcher out of the vehicle. I asked if the ambulance was burning, and they replied, “Yes!” We waited on the interstate for another ambulance to complete our trip. My shoulder had been dislocated, and there was a small well-aligned fracture.

After a couple of doctors tried unsuccessfully to get the shoulder back into place, my daughter Marie, an employee at the hospital, contacted the orthopedic surgeon, and the job was soon done. After two nights in the hospital, I was discharged to my home under the care of my daughter Ann and her husband, who canceled their vacation plans to be with me and help with my practically useless right arm.

My sister took over shortly before they left, and I am now back to living alone. With the invaluable help of a physical therapist and lots of exercise, I am making good progress and hope soon to be back to normal. In retrospect it seems providential this incident occurred when family members were free to help. I am thankful my heavenly Father is surprised by nothing. My desire is to be filled with His Spirit and to make my life count for Him for as long as He gives me breath.

Lila Farrell Morgan