Testimonies

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Hitting Cement Full Force

Tipping over and hitting a cement step and sidewalk in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the last thing I had in mind to do as my daughter Carol and I prepared for a day of fun, sightseeing, eating, and entertainment.

Carol’s husband Mark was stationed at an Air Force base in New Jersey. While there, he was given a one year assignment to Korea which meant one year away from his wife and home. It was during this time that I came to distract Carol from the loneliness that occurs during a separation.

After Carol picked me up from the airport in Philadelphia, we were going to enjoy the afternoon and evening by looking at the sights, shopping, and having supper. We were as excited as two country girls making their first trip to the big city.

We parked the car and headed out for our adventure, noticing all the different stores and their contents on the way. Side streets with unique shops and restaurants solicited our attention and beckoned us to accept enticing food and merchandises.

The day was great; the weather was somewhat on the cool side. We didn’t complain since this was February and we could have been dealing with a snow storm instead of having fun. We didn’t mind just cool weather. Our venture into new things that day would include the unexpected.

As we headed to the main street downtown an unusual and nonexplainable incident happened. I turned to my left to look across the street at some stores; as I turned back to continue walking, I was shocked when I started to pivot forward and fell face down toward the cement like a statute would if pushed over. I didn’t pass out, nor did I stumble. I was fully aware of what was happening.

My hands seemed stuck to my side, and I was unable to break my fall as I headed straight down to the looming cement. The fall was quick. I hit the cement full force in about four seconds. Carol said she tried to reach out and grab me, but I was beyond her grasp. The man behind me actually stopped and asked how I was. So did two other people; surprising for a big city! We were stunned and bewildered as to why it happened.

Surveying my wounds, I saw that I sustained a cut lip, a bruised nose, a scratched cheekbone, a scratched lens on my glasses, and a shook-up body. If I had tried to brace my fall, I may have had a broken wrist or arm. I should have had a crushed nose, swollen mouth, black and blue eyes, a concussion, and possibly other broken bones. It didn’t happen. God performed a miracle for me. His eyes watch over His own. Doctors were never able to give me a reason for my fall.

Florence Simmons writes to help people make right choices and to encourage them in their daily living. She hosts a website at http://www.common-sensewisdom.com and can be reached at [email protected].

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