SOLSC 12: Am I a Wuss?

            I was supposed to meet a friend downtown to see a movie, in a theater! (First time in months.) Just 3 blocks to the subway from my home, and three blocks from the subway to the theater.

            At 3 p.m., I left my building to walk up from Riverside Drive to Broadway. There’s a slight hill — and a stiff wind coming off the Hudson River. I walked halfway up the block with walking sticks and felt all right — but then I thought ahead. I’d be coming home in the evening, the wind could get worse, there’s snow predicted.

            I turned around to feel the wind in my face. It was strong and steady. I remembered a day last year when I was so battered by wind crossing a broad street that I retreated to near a building until the wind weakened. I do not want to fall. I felt like a wuss. But I decided not to take the risk.

            Back in the lobby of my building, the super told me five older people in our building have fallen walking down our block. I’m almost 80. My husband fell on slushy ice and was dead two years later. Now back in the safety of my apartment, I keep telling myself, “You’re smart, you're not a wuss.” Maybe “I’m a smart wuss.”

 

 

 

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I’m participating in the 15th annual Slice of Life Challenge over at Two Writing Teachers. This is day 12 of the 31-day challenge.  It’s not too late to make space for daily writing in a community that is encouraging, enthusiastic, and eager to read what you have to slice about.  Join in!