Platform Sandals

I bought the sandals.
Not just one pair, but one in each of the three colors.
The black pair was for me to wear when I went outside to water my plants.
The pink and yellow pair would be so cute with a sundress.

My youngest daughter has the same sandals in two of the colors.
I cannot wear Birkenstock sandals, though, I think they’re so cute.
These sandals looked like Birkenstock sandals.
However, they were not cork, but rubber with a platform sole.

I wore them for most of the summer.
I could easily wear a sundress, put on the sandals and walk out the door.
I’m already tall, so the platform made me a bit taller.
Fun, and cute, and on sale…what could be the problem?

I was set to watch four of my grandchildren from early morning to the afternoon.
It was a hot August day, so a sundress was chosen.
I headed over to my daughter’s house before 7:00 am.
It was sure to be a lovely day.

I had been struggling all summer with some continued knee issues.
Physical therapy, at home stretches, and exercises had really helped.
I wasn’t walking quite at my same speed, but I was almost there.
We all know that pride comes before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

I would soon know that first hand.

My youngest grandson was napping.
My toddler grandson, who was being potty trained at the time, was in the bathroom.
My younger granddaughter was in the dining room doing a puzzle.
My older granddaughter was my shadow that day.

As I walked across the hardwood floors, my platform rubber sandal caught on the floor.
I’m certain we have all had that experience; we “trip” and then recover our step.
However, this day, I fell on both knees and both wrists.
Oh Grandma, are you OK? My little shadow asked with great concern.

Trying so hard not to frighten her, I got up quickly and prayed.
I prayed that all the ground I had gained through physical therapy was not lost in an instant.
I prayed that I did not do any more damage.
My knees and wrists hurt so much, but I had four children under my care.

I put my wrists under cold water trying to make light of the situation.
The baby and my younger granddaughter had no idea of what had happened.
My older grandson was in the bathroom.
Only my oldest granddaughter knew and was watching me like a hawk.

I looked down and saw that one knee had already started to bruise and swell.
I called the orthopedic doctor I have been seeing.
When I got home in the afternoon, I messaged her on the portal.
She took a conservative approach after I answered questions: bad contusion, rest, ice.

It has now been almost three months and I still hurt.
The bruising on my wrists and knees were every color of black, blue, green, and purple.
I am back in physical therapy, three times a week.
My arms are so incredibly sore.

I went back again to my orthopedic doctor who told me that I have bicep tendinitis in both arms.
When I fell so hard on my wrists, they were not damaged, but the shock went up my arms.
There’s not much that can be done except rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory pain relief, she said.
It will heal on its own, but it will take time, she added.

I am grateful on many levels that nothing was badly damaged.
No broken bones.
I didn’t face plant on the floor.
Just soft tissue damage that lingers and nags at me, since I cannot fully rest my arms.

My engineer husband explained how and why platform soles do not “give” and remain rigid.
You should wear sneakers, he went on.
With a sundress? I asked, as if it mattered.
What is it about pride and a fall?

My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:22-23)

I no longer have any of the platform sandals.
I gave them to one of my daughters.
I went through my closet and removed any offending shoes.
I’m on my way to full mending.

God is holding me, just like He held me that day as well.
It may not be the kind of three months I typically enjoy.
I pray that everything will feel better as the holidays approach.
But even if…

God is good.
God is faithful.
I am praying for incremental improvement.
I am certain that God hears me and will answer.

In the meantime, on many days, sneakers it is.