I usually go walking with my friend, Devorah. There have been times in the past that if my friend wasn’t available for our nightly walk, I would just go by myself. But this past year, it’s been harder for me to get out alone. I’ll complain that it’s too hot, too cold and of course, I’m too tired.
A few weeks ago, Devorah wasn’t able to join me. I decided that I just had to go on my own. The weather was perfect and for a change, I wasn’t so tired. Walking is so good for me. It is purported to help with a variety of physical ailments that I am prone to plus it does my soul good to get out in the evening air and distance myself from all the everyday obligations.
I laced my running shoes and prepared my water bottle. Since I was going alone, I brought along a device and earphones to keep the walk interesting, whether by listening to a good shiur or some jumpy music. I was set to go. I began the usual route. I like the familiar. I listened to the music, trying to keep my pace in line with the fast beat.
Well on my way home, I decided to cross the street in order to get home faster. A car was driving a bit fast as it swerved around me. I looked in the car’s direction as I continued on the sidewalk. That was a big mistake as there was something sticking out near the garbage cans. I stumbled to the ground. Somehow, maybe from lots of exercise, but certainly a big dose of siyata d’shamaya, I landed on my two hands very neatly. My knees, arms and face didn’t touch the ground. My left palm was a bit scraped. I quickly and surprisingly nimbly picked myself up, bent down to retrieve my water bottle and music device and continued on my way. From the distance I noticed a man had seen my fall and was looking on in concern. When he saw I was back on my two feet, he continued his conversation with a different man who had his back to me. It was thoughtful that he cared. And also embarrassing as he was one of my sons’ former Roshei HaYeshiva.
By the time I came home, I was pretty much fine. I put something on my left hand to soothe the scrape. That hand did hurt a bit, but I knew it could have been so much worse. Over the next day or two, I shared my mishap with a few friends. As time passed, bruising across my palm developed and as well as some tenderness. A few friends mentioned using Arnica. I had heard of it, but I didn’t feel the situation warranted running out to buy it.
Towards the end of the week, I was running to do some errands. After Shabbos, I would be attending a special women’s retreat for a couple of days with my dear friend Brocha. Brocha had been training to be a medic so when she told me I must get myself some Arnica, I took it a bit more seriously. Besides my hand was tender. As I finished my tasks, I neared a health store. Maybe they have Arnica, I thought. They did and I purchased a small tube.
Sunday morning as I was packing up for my retreat, I threw in the Arnica even though I felt like my hand was already feeling and looking much better. It can’t hurt, I thought as I tossed in a few more maybe items.
The drive up to the retreat was pleasant and soon I was reunited with my friend Brocha. We caught up on life as we hung out in the pool and ate a sumptuous dinner. It was Brocha’s idea that we take a walk around the grounds of the hotel we were staying at. A few other friends followed us. Brocha, always youthful, tried to jump on the omega hanging above our heads. Unfortunately, she missed the stand and bashed her shin into it. Her stocking was torn and she had a long scrape running down her leg. We helped her to find a place to sit and waited while she regained her composure.
Eventually another friend and I helped Brocha make her way back to our room. She looked down at her leg and said, “I have a big bruise.” I went to inspect it and saw the dark blue markings growing across her leg.
A light bulb went on in my head. “It’s because of you that I have this,” I said as I handed her my small tube of Arnica. She gratefully smeared it all over her leg.
The next morning the bruising was almost gone; all because she had told me I needed Arnica. I did, for her too.
