My new year's resolution for 2016

by Kris Mulkey

Last Saturday I thought I would write a post about new year's resolutions. I wrote and re-wrote the post three times. I was having trouble getting focused. Should it be about me, about work, about our family, a combination of those things? It wasn't coming together so I decided to give it a rest and come back to it later in the day. Or the next day.

I put on my workout clothes to go for a walk. It wasn't raining. The air was cold, but not uncomfortably so. The crisp air would feel great on a brisk walk down the hill, and back up again.

I took Sam, our chocolate lab, with me so he'd get a little exercise. I usually take Bentley our King Charles Cavalier because he's easier to manage. But he completely annoyed me the day before by pooping four times on our walk! I have no idea where all this poop comes from. But it really sucks carrying stinky poop bags so I decided to take Sam.

I had my headphones on with a little Katy Perry pumping in my ears when BAM Sam charged at a bird which flew out of a bush right in front of us. It completely caught me off guard because I was mindlessly walking along singing with Katy I got the eye of the tiger, the fire / Dancing through the fire / 'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear / me roar /.........

Sam's leash was wrapped around my arm in such a way that the strong tug pulled me off the sidewalk and into the street - right on my knees. I broke the fall with my right knee, and twisted my left foot falling off the curb. I don't remember my hands touching the ground. I just remember the dog poop bag flying out of my hand. Because yes, Sam pooped within minutes of leaving. Just like his turd-ball brother. And somehow (miraculously) I did not drop my iphone. The music just blared in my ears. You held me down / but I got up (hey!) / Already brushing off the dust / You hear my voice / you hear that sound.....Seriously, I can't make this shit up.

My immediate reaction was what the F&@% just happened? I immediately looked around to see if anyone saw me. 'Cuz, wow. It was not a graceful fall. Then I thought how much that hurt! My knee was all scraped up and bleeding. My foot was throbbing. Sam was looking at me nervously. He knew he did something wrong. He started pacing by my side as he realized the walk was over. I just sat there stunned in the street.

I looked up and the dog poop bag was 10 feet ahead of me. 

I called Don to come get me. I told him I fell and didn't feel like walking anymore. Would he come get me. 

A car drove past as I was waiting. I watched to see if they would stop and ask if I needed help. They didn't.

I then thought I better get up before I get run over.

And then another car came up the hill.

I hobbled up and realized there was no way I could walk. I couldn't put any pressure on my foot at all.

The guy in this car stopped and asked if I needed help. He seemed very concerned and wanted to make sure someone was coming to get me. Very sweet.

Don arrived seconds later. I hobbled over and told him I thought I broke my foot.

Which I did, as confirmed by the emergency clinic. I fractured the fifth metatarsal bone. Now I have a lovely black boot on my leg for the next six weeks.

So I guess my new year's resolution is to slow down and appreciate what I have.

I really think I could have come to this conclusion without breaking my foot.

But maybe not.

What's your new year's resolution?