Feeling....Very....Relaxed....


During my visit my son had purchased a sectional sofa from someone who'd posted a Craigslist ad.  Together my son, my niece, and I loaded sections into the back of the SUV. In multiple trips we drove it "hopscotch" like to my niece's garage and then on to his new apartment.

It was a dark and stormy night.  Actually, it WAS dark and rainy.  During one of the loading stages I bolted from the drivers seat to check on the progress of the very capable 30+ year olds. I thought, "they might need my help!"  Yeah, right.

My toe caught on a rock edging the driveway and down I went, splat, onto the wet grass of my niece's front yard. My left arm instinctively landed first.  It was a wimpy, unimpressive fall but I knew right away that my wrist was broken.  The three of us piled into the SUV and off to the nearby ER we went with me holding my injured arm up and my niece driving slowly to avoid jarring my break.

A broken bone HURTS.  Thankfully, intravenous pain medication is wonderful for that!  I was soon feeling....very....relaxed.  My son and my niece were with me in my ER room.  Elsewhere, supplies were being gathered for the "setting" of my broken bone. With my loving and supportive family captive with me I said, "would you like to hear my toastmaster's speech?"

I do NOT recommend narcotics as a speech practicing tool, however, if you find yourself in an ER, drugged up, with a speech prepared and a trapped audience?  Go for it!

Days later, back home and at my Toastmasters Club meeting, I  delivered my "ice-breaker" speech.  My purple cast was my companion.  It gave me a confidence boost to know that since I could remember my speech when drugged, surely I could remember it when I was drug free.  I did!

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