The Third

The first was while playing on an afternoon of my youth of invincibility. It was the product of a good effort that was poorly executed. A good excuse.

The second was in the recent past when the realization of mortality created long stepping effort to deter an inevitable decline. Another worthy excuse.

The third was today and was initiated by impatience which conceived foolishness -- a poor and unworthy excuse. Of the details I will say nothing. Of the foolishness I will say only "wisdom tempers impatience and chooses a ladder rather than an empty and unstable barrel".

This third rib, too, will heal like its companions.

Near the end of the day I was sitting on the ground -- a safe place -- using a razor blade to scrape labels from newly installed windows when Julie came over. I interpreted her words as an affirmation of love: "I need to go in and vacuum. While I'm gone, you won't do anything stupid, will you?"