A Tumble In A Very Fine Place

Three weeks ago, I was walking outside my room in an Albuquerque hotel, when suddenly my face met the concrete walkway.

My glasses landed a few feet away.  Luci ran over and licked my head and bleeding nose, looking worried.

I thought of that horrible TV commercial: "I fell and I can't get up!" It was early and no other hotel guests were outside yet, and I'd left my phone in the room. 

I crawled a couple of feet and pulled myself up on my neighbor's patio chair.  

I didn't want to tell anyone, not even Will--who was with Bonnie and Elena in the house they'd rented for a month in Durango, three hours north of Albuquerque.

So I called Jan--to ask her if she'd look in my house for a back up pair of glasses.  

Right after most accidents, the pain isn't as bad as it will be the next day. but the shock of splatting against concrete for no obvious reason is paramount. 

What I was about to get a reminder of is the incredible kindness of strangers. 

I called the front desk of the hotel. 

Within minutes, my room was filled with staffers, one carrying breakfast from the restaurant down the hall, another bringing brining ice for my  boo boos, another to "get my statement." 

Jeanette said, "If you want to go to the hospital, I'll take care of Luci., I'll take her home with me when my shift is over"  The manager said he wanted to have medics check me out, then he'd take me downtown to order some new glasses. (which we didn't do because Jan found some back ups and mailed them express to Will's place) 

Two adorable medics appeared and checked me out, and after they ruled out concussion, they stayed for a while to chat.  I felt okay, just shaken up. 

The manager wanted to speak to him, to tell him the medics had said I was in good shape, but didn't want me driving for a day or two.  They'd comp the rest of the nights, as many as I needed, then I could drive on to Durango.

But Will--like my daddy would have done--said, "We're on our way to get her."

As I waited on a big comfy bed, Jeannette came every hour to take Luci for a walk, and the other staff members stopped in to bring me snacks and drinks and more ice.

I was so impressed with the care they provided that I wrote a letter to the editor of the Albuquerque paper which they published the next weekend.

We had a wonderful time in Durango.  All was well.  

I just felt a tiny bit deflated by the fall.  It had dinged my confidence, and I dreaded the long hot dry desert drive back home.   

Will said one of my favorite things anybody can say: "We want you to stay as long as you like." 

He took us to the Durango Hot Springs and asked me what I wanted to drink.  "Pina Colada," I said.  'With alcohol in it?" he asked, grinning.  "You bet!" I said--and I settled into the hot water with the most delicious Pina Colada and the company of Will and Bonnie and their new friends--while Elena played with her new fan club of the younger children of those friends.  

After a week, I decided it was time to hit the road, to give them some time to explore the area more, do a long back packing hike, and follow up on some dinner and party invitations they were getting.

Will suggested I fly from the Durango airport, with a layover in Denver, and let him bring my car back when they come.  I could use their Four Runner and avoid that long hot drive through the desert--which is what we did.  

They arrive back in Texas late tonight and tomorrow I'll trade the Four Runner for my little red car that fits Luci and me a lot better.