Four weeks ago, just a couple days after sharing my Belle of the French Quarter story, something happened that reminded me just how quickly our lives can change from one moment to the next. I had a bad fall coming down a flight of stairs, busted my face against a door jam and broke my wrist. I'm okay now, although it is probably more accurate to say that I'm on a trajectory towards being okay: my arm is in a cast, I’ve got a new scar on my chin, a big bruise above my right eye and my jaw alignment is still a bit off.
Needless to say, this has been a bitter pill to swallow. I spent most of my time in the ER that day bargaining with the doctors saying things like: what do I need to do to be able to play my violin in two weeks? I can't miss this performance. I'm the concertmaster, I’m playing the violin solo in Scheherazade. Everyone's counting on me.
And yet, I did miss the concert and someone else played the solo. Turns out, accidents happen. Plans change. People adapt. Life goes on.
The craziest thing about this incident is that I think I jinxed it. I can't help but feel that in some strange, uncanny way the thoughts I was entertaining leading up to the moment of my fall triggered it. See, I was trying to tease out of my younger self the precise thoughts that had been going through my mind before I broke my arm at a friend's house when I was seven years old. I had been writing these thoughts down for a few weeks, but I had come to an impasse. While I knew what the central event was (breaking my arm), I had been struggling to construct a compelling storyline around it. I needed a why. Why was I telling this story? What core message was I trying to convey? What deep inner struggle did I need to come to terms with?
And then, as if on cue, I fell and broke my arm. Again. What are the chances...
I still don't know what the story line of that essay will be. I trust that eventually it will reveal itself. For now, I'm keeping it under wraps kind of like my broken wrist. It needs time to sort itself out. Maybe once my cast comes off, I'll start seeing things clearer and come up with a nice tidy story. Or maybe not. Either way, my job these days is to be grateful for the kindness of those around me and to keep my hand on the stair rail.
Please virtually sign my cast below in the comments section. Thank you!
Don’t Open Until Christmas! =)
No please!! don’t make me wait that long! LOL!!
Cybele!! Posso solo immaginare (da musicista ultra-dilettante) che delusione sia non poter suonare dopo essersi preparato così tanto per un concerto! Tanta solidarietà da parte mia che nel mio piccolo posso capirti piu nell’ambito dello sport (7 fratture e almeno 4 gessi , oltre a lussazioni e commozioni cerebrali).
Un abbraccio ed un augurio di vederci presto in Italia o in USA.
😉
Grazie Andrea! Oggi sono andata per la prima volta dal fisioterapista e gia’ mi sento molto meglio e piena di speranza per un recupero completo. Grazie per i consigli e sostegno. Un abbraccio a tutti e si’ ci vediamo presto!
Cybele, what a coincidence that you were writing about a broken arm when this happened! Hope you are able to play the violin again soon! Sending lots of virtual hugs!
Thank you, Meilin! I appreciate your support!
Your words are beautiful, as always! Heal well and soon, friend.
Thank you, Kevin!
Darn it 😔 I am so sorry Cybele that this happened to you. I pray that you will heal soon. Lots of love and positive thoughts ❤ that everything will be ok.
Thank you, Angela. I very much appreciate your prayers.
So sorry! I do hope you’ll heal completely and quickly, and that it will not impact your violin playing in the future.
Thank you, Van. I’m slowly getting back into playing but I’ve still got a ways to go.
Heal quickly!
Thank you, Kim! I didn’t realize how much I’d miss playing the violin!
Cybele! I’m so sorry you missed an important concert. Life can truly change in the blink of an eye. Sending prayers for your recovery!