Opening Night. The stage is primed for the story to begin. It is bad luck to start the metaphorical show with, 'good luck' for wishes. "Break a Leg" is a superstitions phrase uttered prior to the curtain seam parting that stems from the belief that wishing bad luck will bring the opposite. A good performance.
I deviated from the strait line of my life and broke a leg, in two spots. I heard the snaps as I hit the floor after the tumble down the stairs. Curtain called, my life changed radically that moment forward. Exit stage left. I needed surgery, twice, a wheel chair and good humor. No driving, minimal momming, and little activity unless it involved watching hours of tele. I had time on my hands. To think. To rewrite my script.
I fell into a new story, soon after. I had space for script edits. I was forced to pause rather than distract myself with the busy-ness of juggling my life. For several weeks. As my strength grew, so did my resolve to have a magnificent second act to my show. I evaluated the actors, scenes and props that took up space on my stage. I noticed that some of the folks that I assumed (silly me) would be supportive cast members, were not. Several new and background cast members showed up to keep me company. They encourage my resolve for the new production.
Desperate for more than game shows to fill my hours, I asked my trainer to come help me stay reasonably active. Lora committed to train and box with me several times a week. She kicked my booty while I sat on it. My recovery time diminished and my outlook on my circumstance elevated due, to her devotion. I am forever indebted. I owe her one. Maybe, more than one. I am healed thanks to her. I have a new scene thanks to her workouts and the time I had to sit still and think about what I really want my life to look like. It has been a few years since the fall and I have a new more fitting stage and cast. I am producing a magnificent life. Looking back, the break the leg scene really was good luck for me.
A few weeks back, Lora and her man invited me to a week-long adventure work event they sponsor each year. The funds raised last year sent 38 Idaho-ians to college that didn't have funding options that suited their needs. Lora needed a partner in crime and gunslinging for this event. Rather than compete in a golf tournament, she signed us up for a three day sharp shooting competition. Real ammunition. Besides my fear of guns and lack of hand eye coordination, I gamed up for the event. We had phenomenal instruction and soon we were aiming like pros (well, she was) and enjoying the cowboy camaraderie. I feel expansive in the manner that learning something unexpected and new, does for one. Shooting will not be my new sport. I will stick with hiking and ballet; though, I do feel quite accomplished. I know that I am not a 12 gauge gal and that I am left eye dominate. And much more. The new knowledge seeped into my cells and I feel a boost of confidence. I am bruised with battle wounds from the kick back that slams into one's shoulder after trigger pulling all day. I may wear a tank top this week, even thought the weather has turned a bit chilly, to show off these (learned something new) badges.
I feel quite lucky to have slipped down the stairs, in my last act. I may not have had the story redevelop as it has, with out that break. The fall encouraged my awareness that the show must go on, with a proper script. We get to write, produce, direct and perform on this stage, this life, we have been cast for. We can alter the scene anytime. We can invite new actors, scenes, and props into our story to create a more magnificent show.
Here is to breaking a leg. Curtain up. Enter stage right.