I’ve learned a LOT about resilience lately. More than I care to ever be forced to learn again in this lifetime. But it has been a lesson for me in gratitude, grace and, at times, humility.

Jeff had been in Puerto Vallarta preparing our boat, EL Gato, for her seasonal trip south, and the plan was that in a couple of weeks, I would drive myself and the dogs the 8+ hours to meet him in Barra De Navidad.  So it was just me and the three pups here at home in Patzcuaro, enjoying some down time following the holidays before sailing season started. I had plans to participate in a storytelling event I had been practicing for, as well as helping a friend with a big charity art sale.

Well, as we all know, Plans fall apart, and boy, howdy, did this one EVER!!

Two weeks ago, on my way to the bank, I slipped and fell on one of Patzcuaro’s countless hazardous sidewalks, this one only three doors down from my house. I had Frida (my dog) with me, and by the grace of whomever, I held on to her leash and she didn’t freak out. My feet went out from under me, and I fell, full force, onto my right elbow.  It felt like slow-motion, but as soon as I hit the pavement, I cussed like a sailor! If you know me, you know I adore the word Fuck, and that was my choice, along with a few others thrown in for good measure.

The neighbors ran out (not the ones that live where I fell), helped me up and walked me home. They actually offered to take me to the hospital down the street, but I didn’t take them up on it. But after seeing my elbow in the mirror, I knew I had to go for an X-ray. So, I was alone, suddenly facing an emergency situation, with a house full of dogs, and not at all fluent in emergency medical-speak.

It was pure serendipity that our other favorite almost-next-door neighbors had a guest visiting who is a medical translator and Occupational Therapist, and they were on it! It was a concerted group effort to get me to an x-ray lab, find an Orthopedic Surgeon in Morelia that was a good friend of a good friend, and get me admitted for surgery, all in the same day.

Turns out my elbow was basically broken in half. Since Mexico won’t prescribe much more than really shitty over-the-counter pain meds, I was fortunate to have a dear friend (you know who you are) give me some of he good stuff, plus, I still had some Morphine left over from the cancer-mess.

To add insult to injury, I lost my hearing aid somewhere between the fall and the hospital. THeis, after having my brand-new Google Pixel phone go missing, along with all my contacts.

I called Jeff, and he made the plan to catch a flight to come back to be with me as soon as he could, which was going to be a few days.  (He was already out at sea).

Nope.

The following day, Jeff got “The Call” from his Mom that his Dad was dying. We’ve been getting these calls for several years, but this time it was seemed more serious. Jeff caught a flight back to Kentucky to be with his parents, and I was forced to fend for myself for the routines that comprise daily life.

My right, dominate arm was in a heavily-wrapped bandage and sling, making the little things sooo hard. And painful. Man, just moving was cringe-worthy! Button/zip jeans? No way, Jose. It was pull-up sweats for this girl. Make-up/hair styling? HA! Had to carry Chance (fortunately he only weighs 11 lbs,) out to do his business 4 or 5 times a day, since he is blind and feeble. Learned how to wipe, eat, brush my teeth, and so much more one (and left) -handed.

Fortunately, I have a strong community here, and friends brought me food, shared meals, washed my hair and drove me to appointments.

Two weeks later, my stitches came out. I will have to wait a while fot the pins to work their way to the surface and then have them removed.

Then Jeff’s Dad died.

Plans have changed, for sure. And so far, 2023 has started out pretty fucking shitty. I’m thinking it can only get better. Right?

We leave for El Gato two days after Jeff gets home, following the funeral. It will be different, docking in marinas instead of anchoring out, But it will be good. We will both be good.

And January of 2023 can go fuck itself.