Being independent is fine. Having a caring friend…priceless!

I’m pretty much an independent person. Not married. Not dating. Live alone except for my cat of the last eight years. Most of the time, that is just alright. But, at the end of January 2025, during my morning two mile walk I had an accident that would change all of that.

It was still pretty cold on January 24th in Dallas. There had been ice on the road but it had now warmed up enough to melt most of it. On the part of my walk going downhill in my neighborhood, it looked like the ice had gone but there was a little puddle at the end of the street where it had been. As always, I was walking at a nice, brisk pace. I thought to myself, “I can just walk across that puddle, no problem. Never could I have been more wrong. As I stepped into the puddle I slipped, landing really hard on my left knee. I was embarrassed and glad no one had seen me land. It was much worse than that. As I tried to get back up on my feet, I could not. My pants were still intact. No rips. No blood. I simply could not get back on my feet. But, I was lucky. Two gals driving by saw my dilemma, stopped the car, got out, pulled me up and drove me to the emergency room. There, after an x-ray and consult with the attending physician, I found out I had torn the tendon from my quadricep to my knee. There was actually a dent at the top of my kneecap. The doctors wanted to admit me that Friday for surgery to repair the tendon the next day. But, there was no one who could take care of the cat. So, I went home. This is where I found out how much my friend and Tai Chi instructor, Mike, really cared.

I called him, told him about the injury and asked if he could take me to the doctor the next week. Without hesitation, he said of course. That was the beginning of two months of caring he gave me. Freely. Without complaint. With all the love I had hoped a friend might show me.

After the doctor office visit, which Mike took me to, helping me in and out of his car, sitting with me while the surgeon explained that in two days, I’d be in the hospital getting my tendon reattached. Mike took me to the hospital two days later and when they wheeled me away to pre-op, he left to go about his own day. I called him at the end of the day. He picked me up, took me home and did whatever I needed until he left again.

One might think that’s the end of this story. But, it was far from over. During the next two months, he came by to make sure everything was OK. He took out my trash every Monday. Took me for follow-ups at the surgeon’s office. Took me twice a week for physical therapy. Came by to bring my weekly grocery delivery into the house (I couldn’t lift the box.) And anything I needed help with, he was there. We live six miles apart. But, never once, did he make mention of all that he was doing for me. Frankly, it was taking me out of my independence comfort zone to accept that much help. Yet, I was so grateful, even to this day (in August of 2025) for his help. We had many meals together during that two months and grew closer as friends.

When I finally got the clearance to drive again, in March of 2025, I was glad to regain my independence, but also realized how special and cared about I feel having someone care for and about me as much as Mike did.

There’s a special lesson for me here. Spirit was showing me it’s OK to be independent, but it’s alright to accept help when needed and offered. Truly a lesson I would have thought would have been harder. I just had to accept kindness when offered. I’ve known Mike for nearly 24 years. I became his Tai Chi student in October of 2001. He’s much more of a teacher than I had ever realized or admitted to myself. It’s a huge blessing I might have overlooked. Thank goodness, Spirit provided me with yet another opportunity to learn additional life lessons.

How Am I Changing? Living alone is OK. Living with my cat, even better. But, having a real, true friend is best of all.