Every day millions of people go through their lives giving little attention to the thousands of times they use their hands and feet. They drive to the coffee shop, walk in, stand in line, take out their wallet, pay the bill and take the coffee. All of these tasks are done without paying the hand or foot any notice. And this is only one of the many tasks that the average hand or foot is responsible for accomplishing on a daily basis. But, there is one simple way to give your appendages the respect they deserve—hurt one of them.
All it takes is a paper cut or a hang nail to remind you how many times you reach into your front pocket. Stub your big toe and then try and work your way into your kicks with out bending over and untying them properly. Or in the case of my friend Craig: break your little toe and you will soon see the value of the little digit that usually just goes along for the ride.
It was late in the evening and we had just made it home from my sister’s place. I sat down in the living room and Craig went into get ready for bed: brush his teeth, take out his contacts. When leaving the bathroom he “stubbed his toe.” I heard him from the other room shout “Ouch!” and a few choice expletives. Let me explain quickly, I have never been one to jump up and run into the other room every time someone says ouch. Craig understands this and frankly I like to think it is one of my many traits that he likes. If I hear something, I first ask if the person is okay. One might think I am rude or selfish for not immediately checking out the situation in person; I actually consider it a service to both parties involved. If they are okay, they simply answer and I can stay where I am and continue whatever I am doing. Staying put also provides the other person involved the opportunity to pick them selves up with dignity and not be embarrassed by the situation. But, be assured, I am not so lazy or heartless as to stay where I am if the person does not answer or cries out for help a second time. I will make the trek to where they are and assist any way possible. In this situation I asked Craig if he was okay and he reassured me he was fine.
Now let me be clear how Craig would have acted if the situation was reversed. Had I stubbed my toe and shouted: “Ouch!” Craig would have been there in front of me with an ice-pack, Tylenol and bottle of water before I even had a chance to raise my wounded toe to my hand and hop on the other foot. And this is one of the many traits I like about him.
But, it was late and after all he said he was fine, I didn’t give the incident much thought. I finished what I was doing and eventually made my way to bed. The next morning Craig woke up and said his foot was still hurting him. Honestly, I had forgotten about the whole thing. But thought to myself: he is not one to complain, so I’d better do the right thing and take a look. I thought at most I would have to fetch a band-aid or tell him it looks fine. I pulled back the blanket, looked at his foot and gasped! I was in shock! It looked like his foot was caught in a trap. All four toes were facing forward (like they should) except the little one, on the end, was bent at a perfect 45 degree angle to the others. It looked like a kick-stand on a bicycle.
I started bombarding him with questions: “ Oh, My God Craig, what did you do!?!” “Didn’t you notice this last night!?!” “Does it hurt!?!” He simply explained that he stubbed it on the way out of the bathroom, but when he looked down at it he couldn’t tell what had happened because he had already taken out his contacts. That was it. He didn’t fall. And contrary to what I thought he hadn’t gotten it caught in a trap.
I didn’t know what to do. I was feeling a little guilty for not giving the situation the attention I should have—twelve hours ago. I immediately went into doctor mode. I got on-line and looked up: broken toe. Sure that surgery was necessary, I quickly came to the conclusion—nothing could be done. The only treatments available for a broken toe are ice and tape. Eventually and in time it will heal on its own. Still wanting to help I made a trip to stock up on medical tape and ice packs. I was ready to mend my patient. When I walked in the door Craig had already showered dressed and was ready to leave for work. After convincing him he needed to tape his toe, he sat still long enough for me to cause him more pain and make my self feel better. I did my best to rope in the run-a-way toe. After I was done he was out the door.
It has been three days since he broke his toe and Craig has yet to use the ice packs I bought for him. He limps around but with out as much as a complaint. Let me tell you if this were me with the broken toe: I would have called in for the week and they would have to give me a wheel chair and handicap licenses plates.
I began to wondering what purpose the little toe served. Maybe I would act the same way as Craig if I were to break my toe. After looking into it the outcome is divided; there are some that claim the little toe no longer serves a function and there are equally as many people that think without the little toe a person could not balance properly. I now think that both are true, it just depends on who you are: Craig is of the supporters of the little toe serving little to no function and I am for certain that if I were to break mine my balance would never be the same. Either way, for balance or for show hurt your little toe and you will be reminded of how often you lean on it, or at least how often you lean on your friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment