Last week on the thirteenth was an unusual anniversary and I thought I would celebrate it today. It was the day I broke my foot. Here is the updated post and story on why this event is so important to my writing—things aren’t always what they seem.
It was Friday the 13th late at night in 2015. My bedroom was heavy with the chill of a snowy day. I‘d finished reading for the night and made one last bathroom trip. As I jumped out of bed, my feet hit the cold hardwood floor. That sent me running through the icy room without paying attention to where I was going. As I crossed over the bear throw rug, my left foot caught on our twenty-pound black cat, Coco. He had made it a habit to lie on top of the bear and blend in.
In what was only a few seconds seemed like forever as the cat didn’t move, but I did. My weight shifted trying to counterbalance, and I reached out to the dresser but missed. At that moment, I knew I was going down. So, I twisted in an attempt not to land on top of the cat who had a lot of trust in me I wouldn’t hurt him. That’s when I heard a loud snap. Then I hit the ground.
I lay there next to Coco wondering what to do next. Through this event, my husband was still peacefully sleeping. After several painful attempts to get up, I finally called out for help.
“Why are you lying on the ground? You should get up and sleep in the bed.” My groggy husband replied.
It took him a few moments to realize that I couldn’t get up and was hurt. Once he up-righted me, I hopped on one foot to complete my task. Each jump jarred my foot painfully.
Not wanting to go to the hospital in the middle of the night, I slept with a fortress of pillows protecting my injured foot.
I slept very little.
The next morning was Valentine’s Day. The hospital staff found amusement in hearing my story as I spent Valentine’s Day in the ER. My husband never left my side and reassured me it didn’t matter where we were if we were together. He had a good point.
Later, I left on crutches and rested through the weekend. As the days went by, I found I had too much time on my hands. I tried to fill it with TV shows, but I realized I needed something to do.
That’s when a family member suggested I should publish one of my children’s books.
With this unusual downtime, I did a lot of research. I set up a website, blog, had the story edited, got a cover created, and entered social media. Finally, four months later, I was ready to push that button with the company that helped me first publish. Now, I was published.
Once I released that first book, I haven’t stopped. I kept going forward into the writing world.
So, happy late ninth anniversary to the time I tripped over our black cat on Friday the 13th and broke my foot. What seemed like a bad thing ultimately opened the door to a whole new world.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good and be thankful all those events that might not be what they seem! D. L. Finn
Wow that’s quite a story. I was thinking while reading that it must be one of your scary stories but then I realized it was real. It was a lucky unlucky day.
It’s one of those life events that fiction can’t touch, Thomas 🙂 It really was both at once. I’m very glad for that push, though, to be here.
Wow, what a Valentine’s day! Funny and cool how things turn out some times.
It was a Valentines Day I will never forget, Priscilla 🙂 I remind myself we never know the big picture of when things happen to us. I’m glad for the outcome.
Denise, it is strange how unlucky and lucky can be such bedfellows! A horrid injury yet look where it has led you!
Yes, very strange bedfellows, Annika 🙂 You never know when what seems bad might not be at all.
That’s quite an accident, Denise! It’s good, though, that an unfortunate incident led to something so very positive.
It was Timothy:) I’m grateful for the outcome!
😊❤
I love this story of how you became a published writer!
Thanks, Liz 🙂 I was glad it led me here.
You’re welcome, Denise. 🙂
A painful story with a happy ending Denise. I was clearing some old and unused sun umbrellas down the stairs from our pool when I fell on the stairs and surprise! broke a bone in my foot (fifth metatarsal). And more surprise!We were heading to Iceland for a tour by boat the next week. I ditched the boot and just used a cane. The bone healed a little wonky, but we had a great time. I’m so glad that time lead you to the writer’s world!
Very happy ending, Noelle! Ouch. Sounds like you made the best of it, too, and still has a fun trip. Yay! Mine was the fourth and took its time healing. I’m finding out now there was a bit more damage than first thought. Still, I’m very glad where it led me, thanks!
That’s a wild story. Glad something good came from it all.
This is when reality is much more interesting than anything I could make up, Craig 🙂
That is the most amazing backstory ever for a new book. Sharing… (in between laughing with you).
Thanks, Jacqui 🙂 The ER really got a kick out of it! Nice to share that very first story again, and I appreciate you sharing it and joining in the laughter xo
I never tire of this story, Denise. It just goes to show that silver linings can come from storm clouds! 🙂
Thanks, Mae 🙂 I figured it was worth repeating again and remember those silver linings. Xo
I love how this became your inciting incident to move you toward writing. How cool is that? 🩵
We never know in life when that gentle or not so gentle nudge pushes us doen the right path, Colleen 🙂 It’s very cool indeed!
Ha. Great story, Denise. I never knew that tripping over one’s black cat on Friday the 13th and breaking one’s foot was such good luck. Love this story about how you found your way to writing. What a joyful ending.
Thanks, Diana:) I got engaged on Friday the 13th, too 😉 I consider it a lucky day, at least for me, even with the bit of bad mixed in. Xo
<3 <3 Aww.
What a story, Denise!!
Thanks, Mar, it sure is something I couldn’t make up!
I remember aspects of this story. Isn’t life amazing? A broken foot helped you get started writing. Bad luck was really good luck. Love it!! ❤️
Thanks, Gwen 🙂 We can never see that full picture of what something might bring us. Hugs xo
I remember this story. So glad you kept at it, Denise. Best Wishes.
Thanks, John:) Thought it had another post in it!
You should post the story now and then. It is a gem.
Thanks 🙂
A great lesson for all about nof feeling sorry for ourselves and find a silver lining. That story is part of your writing legacy.
Thanks, Pete 🙂 Yes, there us usually a silver lining to find
Life truly does work FOR us! <3
It does, even when we don’t realize it, Annette:) xo
Wow! That’s a great story. Only you would trip over a black cat on Friday the 13th and break your foot! But it has a happy ending. I also have a broken ankle story which I should share one day. (not nearly as interesting as yours though).
It does fit me that it happened that way… lol! You should share your story too!
I hope you can keep up the effort without any more nudges like that one.
Me too, Dan! Would perfer something a bit tamer next time… Lol
Happy anniversary indeed! How wonderful that your silver lining turned into almost a decade of fabulous stories!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
You tripped over your black cat on Friday the 13th and broke your foot?????? Oh my.
Can’t make this stuff up…lol xo
I chuckled when your husband suggested sleeping in bed would be more comfortable 🙂
Congrats on your nine-year writing anniversary. A person never knows where a path may lead (well, maybe Coco knew, lol)
Yes, he’s even funny when he’s asleep…lol. Thank you and yes, Coco did know! Smart cat. xo
Wow, what a story, Denise, but even better, what an outcome! Not to mention, a Valentine’s Day to remember! How wonderful to publish your first book and to begin your writing journey! xo
Thanks, Lauren 🙂 Not a say I’ll ever forget on many levels. A great journey ever since. Xi
Life has a funny way of redirecting the direction of our lives, doesn’t it? A day to remember and now look at you! Amazing!
It really does have a way to get us on our path, Jan 🙂 Definitely a day to remember and what a journey since! Xo
You really did a lot with those lemons, Denise, lol. What a Valentine’s day! And cats have a thing about lying in high traffic areas. I’ve tripped over Bond more than once, and then he looks at me like it’s my fault for not seeing him.
Thanks, Teri 🙂 It’s been a sweet lemonade in the writing world. Yes, they do like to lay in interesting places. I’ve learned not to rush around, and most of our cats now move out of the way… most of the time.
Friday the 13th… and they say it’s bad luck. Nah ah. Sad about what happened but so happy to hear how this helped you to turn everything in your favor. Impressive my friend. This is so encouraging. Blessings.
It has never been bad luck for me, Selma 🙂 I was lucky to finally get that time I needed to get started! Xo
That’s quite a story, Denise. Your misfortune turned into creating a great story, fortunately❣️❤️
Thanks, Cindy:) it did turn out great after! Xo
What a story Denise!!! Your misfortune turned into a fortunate story in the end but a heck of a way to have to go through. Nicely done❣️
It truly was a heck of a way to get here but so worth it, Cindy xo
I tried to comment but not sure my comments are going through Denise. So sorry that happened but what a fortunate story born out of the unfortunate!!❣️
I rushed over and checked spam and found you and Jan lingering in spam jail, Cindy! Sorry about that. I have no idea why it decides to do that. Usually, it will tell me, but not always. Thank for your commenting efforts! xo