WordUp by Chad Gramling

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There are some days that you take everything for granted and dwell on everything but what is good.

And then there are moments you realize how lucky you are.

For me, that moment was last night when I opened my eyes, let loose a horrific groan and realized I was not dead or paralyzed.

I had just fallen about 8 or 9 feet from a ladder and landed flat on my back onto strips of soffit and fascia that had remained outside since last winter when I did not get them done in time. Underneath those materials were several pieces of steel (the kind used for metal shelving) that I had saved from my father’s trailer since he passed away about seven years ago.

When I got to the top of the ladder, I realized the left side was not flush with the gable end of the roof. It was then that I also realized I should have positioned the ladder against the house and not the roof top (live and learn). It seemed that the moment I realized that the ladder was not stabile, it spun. Yes, it spun . . . and I went down.

I flew through the air and landed flat on my back. Luckily, I missed the workbench and the items that were on it – though I did scrape my right arm on something and have a pretty rough beef jerky spot.

When I hit the ground, there was a flash in my mind (I think I hit my head too) and then a brief blackout. I opened my eyes a second or two later and instinctively groaned. Then I thought to myself in this order:

1. I hope I won’t die
2. I hope I didn’t land on anything sharp
3. I hope I am not paralyzed
4. I need to get up NOW!

I very slowly rolled over and stood up. When I emerged from behind the workbench, I saw four-year-old Daphne staring at me. She was stone faced and quiet. Then I thought, Good, she can go get help if I keel over . . . but she has trouble with doorknobs and won’t be able to get out of the yard – I might die.

Luckily, I didn’t. Luckily, I missed everything and the hammer I was carrying did not hit me after I fell. Luckily, Daphne didn’t see her dad kill himself as a result of sheer stupidity (and no, nobody else was home).

Now, those who know me best also know I have taken much worse falls, but this one is still hurting me today. My back and neck are sore and my head still cries out for Tylenol aver 4 or 5 hours.

But I’m alive and I can move my limbs. Pretty lucky if I do say so myself.

P.S. The wife has now forbidden me to use ladders when she isn’t home.