Life’s moving walkways

I recently had my second knee replacement (in December) and I’ve been feeling good about my progress. Over my 20-plus year marketing/sales career, I’ve traveled often. A few weekends ago, my husband Joe, and I, traveled for the first time since my operations. We attended his niece’s wedding in Dallas, so we flew from Indianapolis.

We got a good parking spot and entered the terminal. We each had a large suitcase to check, I had a purse and Joe had his mom’s birthday present. We hopped on the moving walkway and stood to one side. My suitcase had the 360-degree wheels so it was in front of me. We hear “Caution! The moving walkway is nearing its end…” and Joe exits with his suitcase.

I’m not sure why but I chose to lead with my suitcase off of the walkway. The wheels caught on the metal foot plate and my suitcase stopped cold in front of me. I stopped cold behind it. It fell backwards and so did I. It would have been funny to see from a distance, if only my elbow and shoulder weren’t getting pummeled from the continuously moving steps on the walkway.

Note to self: never lead with your bag while exiting a moving walkway. Always hold on to the railing when exiting, and follow with the suitcase. Finally, once down, it’s not easy to get up because, you guessed it, the walkway was still moving. And, so was the railing.

By this time, Joe had all my bags (which he had to grab from on top of me) along with his. A nice 50+ couple, traveling with their mother, saw what happened and came to help. They had chosen to walk the pavement. A flight attendant who had come up behind me on the walkway also assisted. They helped me get up and off the walkway, although at first it seemed like an impossibility.

I was able to laugh about the situation afterward. I was also very touched at the kindness of strangers. God tends to send the right people at the right time into our lives, doesn’t He?! I’ve also learned that these types of situations which would have horrified me prior to having my knees replaced (due to embarrassment and anger at myself for doing such a silly thing) are not such a big deal. People fall and they get back up. There are so many more important things in life to put my energy into, besides kicking my own behind!

The mother quickly said, “You’re going to be sore. Remember to take some Tylenol tonight.” She also said, “That’s why we don’t take the walkway – for that very reason!” The wife and husband asked if I was okay and I said sheepishly said “yes.” A guy with two carry-ons zoomed by me, looking perturbed. The woman said, “Excuse us. Didn’t you see she just fell?” I think Joe was caught somewhere between being horrified that I fell, since a person can really injure oneself after surgery, and in wonder that I was up and ready to proceed to the ticket counter.

I was blessed to not have injured myself. I think my confidence was shaken more than my actual anatomy. I was just toodling along the airport, thinking it was business as usual and feeling proud of myself that I was traveling again. When you’ve had your knees replaced and had to essentially learn to walk again, exercising muscles that you didn’t even know you had, it’s a pretty good feeling to feel “normal.” God quickly reminded me that I have a ways to go. And, that I need to keep up with my exercise routine, even though I’m feeling good.

I also was reminded that life is always better when I rely on God, and not my self-esteem to make me feel whole. My knees aren’t what makes me a worthwhile person. It’s my God-given gifts, talents and abilities that I can continue to hone that make me better tomorrow than I am today. Finally, I am grateful for God’s angels that He sends our way. Joe and I had a wonderful time at a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends. That’s what is truly important.