Ever so graceful

It's funny how differently we look at things now that we're adults compared to how we looked at things when we were kids.

The other night I went to a school function with my mom. She teaches the sixth grade and it was the graduation party. I had the opportunity to meet these extraordinary kids earlier this year so being there to celebrate with them was a honor.

The ceremony ended and we all made our way to the court yard for the dinner. As we waited in line, one little kid (5 years old maybe 6) was running around and fell. She immediately cried and looked for anyone who had seen her fall to come to her rescue. Her mother came and picked her up. She gave her a hug and wiped away her tears.

"poor boo" I thought

We finally got our food after waiting in line for seemed like forever (but was most likely 20 minutes.) It was very crowded and seating for dinner was limited. We decided to stay outside rather then try to get seats in the dinner hall.

As We made our way through a huge crowd of people to find a seat, I was impressed with my ability to keep my food on my plate. I was also equally impressed that I didn't get an elbow to the chest or have someone swing their bag over their shoulder and knock into me.

I guess I spoke/thought too soon. Because as we walked around a corner and found a bench that was pretty secluded; I steeped forward and the ground felt a little slippery. I slipped a little but i caught myself, "whoopsies that was a close one" I thought but then I slipped a little more, then I wobbled then I stumbled then my legs were all crooked in each other and before I could even understand what was happening I was on my face on the floor with dinner tossed all around me.

Juuuuuusssssst Great.

So there I was, on the ground. Much like that little girl I had just seen. But instead of looking around hoping someone had seen me, I was looking around praying to God that NOBODY had seen me.

A very concerned man ran up to me "My goodness! Are you okay?" he asked as he lifted me by the arm up off of the floor, I thought for a moment...

Physically? Yes.

As I dusted myself off I looked to my right; much to my horror I had fallen right in front of a bench full of people eating their dinner. All of whom had these looks on their faces like I was drunk or like I was some kind of idiot.

Yes, physically I am fine, but my ego? Not so much.

He asked if I was hurt or if I needed anything. I thought for a moment. Let's see do I need anything? Hmmm, how about a getaway car? So me and my shamed ego can get out of this place before I will be known as "that girl who fell" for the rest of the night.

"no thank you I am fine"

After I cleaned up my mess from all the food I had dropped on the floor, I went and got a new plate. The guy serving food looked at me like I was some kind of piggy for getting what appeared to be seconds after only ten minutes. But I explained that no, I am not a piggy just clumsy. I was not there for "seconds" of food but "replacement of food". But I don't think he believed me.

What is more shameful, being "that girl who fell"? Or being "that girl who eats all the food"?

It's a toss up if you ask me.

Finally, I was able to sit down and have dinner. But I made sure to choose a bench no wear near the incident site. I saw the man who helped me get up off of the floor and he asked me how I was doing.

"Fine thanks"

And I still am. I do have a goose egg on my knee and my ankle is a bit bruised ( as was ego) but I think I will survive.