It’s been almost eleven years since I self-published my first book, “Elizabeth’s War,” and there’s an interesting story behind it. This is also the first time Friday the 13th falls in February, just like eleven years ago!
Here’s the post from five years ago telling the story of what seemed like bad luck wasn’t.
It was late at night in February on Friday the 13th. My bedroom was heavy with the chill of a snowy day. I had 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 rushing through the icy room without watching 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 on the rug, blending in.
In what felt like slow motion movie, 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 has a lot of trust in me that I won’t hurt him. That’s when I heard a loud snap and hit the ground.
Now, next to Coco, I found the only thing that hurt was my foot. Through this event, my husband was still peacefully sleeping. After several painful tries 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 uprighted 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 didn’t sleep much.
The next morning was Valentine’s Day. The special day was spent in the ER. Sharing my story kept the hospital staff amused. My husband never left my side and reassured me that 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 publish one of my children’s books.
With all this new time on my hands, I did a lot of research. Finally, I was ready to push that button. I was published.
Once I released that first book, I haven’t stopped. I kept going forward into the writing world.
So, happy eleventh anniversary to the time I tripped over our black cat on Friday the 13th and broke my foot. What appeared to be a bad event ultimately opened the door to a whole new world for me.
NOTE: Coco is going to be thirteen this year. Luckily, Friday the thirteenth and the number have been lucky for me, including getting engaged on it.
Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)
Isn’t it odd how husbands can sleep through the loudest noises? Yes, Friday the 13th seems to be a lucky date for you. Happy 11th bookish anniversary!
Yes, anything…lol. Yes, it has been lucky for sure. Thank you xo
Great story, Denise.
Thanks, John 🙂
I’m glad you weren’t more seriously hurt! Happy first book anniversary!!
Thanks, Liz 🙂 I appreciate that!
You’re welcome, Denise!
What a coincidence (the two Friday the 13th).
Yes it is and surprised I paid attention to that. .ha
It’s you weren’t hurt worse, also that you got your first book published soon after. Have a happy publishing anniversary, Denise! 😍
Yes. Glad it was only the foot for sure, Timothy:) Thank you!
My pleasure, Denise. 😍
What a great story! How did you get your big BREAK in writing? You have such a good answer to that question, Denise. I’ve never believed much in superstitions like looking in a cracked mirror, walking under a ladder, or coming across a black cat. A more accurate word to describe bad things that happen is coincidence. If you haven’t written this story in one of your books, you should seriously think about it.
Lol! Yes, definitely my big break in writing, Pete:) It is definitely a series of coincidences, where the true story waa better thsn anything I could make up. No never included this in a story but if I did I have a feeling it might have an extra layer or two.
Sorry for the pain involved Denise but look what it all led to…. and I was born on Friday 13th…and my birthday is tomorrow… I regard myself as being very lucky… perhaps I was a black cat in a previous life!! ♥
I was thinking about your Friday the 13th birthday this year, Sally!
Thank you, Sally! It was worth the outcome. It is a lucky day all around. Happy, happy birthday 🙂 I agree being a black cat in past life would only bring good luck to this one. Sending birthday hugs. Xo
Happy anniversary, Denise! What a memorable, life-changing moment!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 Yes, it was and effort the better
Denise, this is such a warmly told, lovely story. You certainly made sunshine out of trauma. Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan 🙂 It certainly took me in a direction I might not have taken for a long time. Hugs right back!
That’s quite the story!! But it all worked out well for you. We had a cute little cockapoo named Andre. We got him on Friday the 13th, he had a size 13 collar and the number on his dog license had a 13 in it. He lived to be 13 years old!
Thanks, Darlene 🙂 I love that name Andre. Funny how numbers are so repeating amd bring us so much luck and love.
Isn’t it strange, the things that get us doing things that we might never have done, or started earlier than planned on something we had in the never-ending pipeline? Black cats and thirteen obviously aren’t bad luck where you’re concerned – and your foot got better too. Do take care tomorrow though! 🙂
That’s a great story, Denise. I love how we put ourselves in danger to avoid hurting the cat. I hope Coco has a nice birthday and you stay upright and stable. I’m glad you continued writing.
Thank you, Dan 🙂 Yes, it is the first reaction to protect them. Coco will be spoiled on his birthday for sure. I plan to stay upright and stable, walk slow…lol.
What a story. Life can be stranger than fiction, and sometimes more fascinating, for sure. Glad you hit the publishing button. xo
Life can definitely be stranger and more interesting than anything fiction creates. Thank you, Sandra 🙂 xo
How interesting, Denise. I published my first book in 2016.
Happy ten year anniversary, Robbie!
🩵🦋
This is an interesting story. I had no idea you came to publishing through an accident.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 It certainly seemed like a sign to move forward.
I believe I’ve read this tale before. Has it really been that long?
A lovely story, 13 is certainly not an unlucky number for me.
And much like you, my bad experiences turned into a good experience for me with my writing ✍️ too.
Not sure if it had any connection to a 13. But I left and walked away on 6th January, my epiphany and when I celebrate my new year and new start
I’d like to hear more about how you got into your writing too, Sue! I bet there are a lot of interesting stories how it happened. Nice to have a date to celebrate your new start.
Happy anniversary, Denise! You tell this with lovely humour, but I can imagine the awful pain that night as you waited to go to hospital. It’s also a story that ticks the Valentine’s Day box for me because of your husband’s lovely comment. x
Thank you, Alex 🙂 I was able to keep my good humor throughout, which isn’t always the case. This year we cleared some brush with the same thought in mind…lol xo
I’ve never been superstitious, Denise. We’ve had/have black cats (they’re so loving), and I chose for Reese to be born (scheduled C-section) on a Friday 13th, and when they roll around I always tell him that’s his day. I also consider them lucky – looks like it’s the same for you!
You are so right about black cat personalities, Teri. They are the best. I would have picked that date too if given a choice. That makes for a special birthday and person! xo
Have a grand weekend. xo
Thank you! Have a wonderful week xo
What a fun story, Denise. This cracked me up: “So, happy eleventh anniversary to the time I tripped over our black cat on Friday the 13th and broke my foot.” Lol. You never know what will cause a pivot in your life. Glad this was a good one. 😀 Hope your Valentine’s Day wasn’t in the hospital this year. Hugs.
You are so right, Diana! You do never know what will bring change in your life. Definitely a good one 🙂 No hosptial this year, just out in the forest doing some clearing and enjoying nature. xo