I don’t have a picture of this one because, well….I was lying flat on my back and in no shape to take a picture.

It started with my decision to stop at a U-pick orchard to get a bucket of cherries. It’s at the tail end of the season (that’s already running late due to a delayed summer/heat). So, all the fruit that could be picked from the ground was gone, leaving only what could be reached from a ladder.

I was the only one in my section of the orchard, although I’d walked past a mother and her two teenage girls not too far away. I set my ladder (the type with a pole you set apart from the legs in a triangle). My dad had a small orchard while I was growing up and I’d set these ladders many a time. I could hear his voice in my head reminding me to check it to make sure it was square. It wasn’t, and I reset it. But this time when reminded again, I disregarded it, sure it must be fine.

Bad decision.

I climbed up and picked a half bucket of luscious, dark purple cherries and had almost cleaned out the area I could reach. A few big handfuls were a little farther away, but I could reach them by leaning.

Another bad decision.

The ladder went one way in slow motion, tipping off to my right. I saw and felt it going and knew there wasn’t a thing I could do to stop it. I remember thinking it was going to hurt when I hit. I also had the presence of mind to holler for help on the way down, as I knew I might not be in any condition to do so once I hit.

Good decision.

I bounced off several rungs, impacted the side panel with my thigh and calf, and landed on my tailbone, then flat on my back, then my head whipped back and connected last.

Thankfully, on grassy ground.

No broken bones, but LOTS of big bruises and a separated tailbone that’s also bent to the side.

The woman and girls came running, as did the orchard owner. I lay on the ground getting my breath, then when I felt able, they helped me up. After determining I didn’t have any broken bones, I bemoaned the loss of my cherries, scattered across the ground. The owner scooped them all up and offered to help me to my car.

Nope. I came to get cherries, I wasn’t leaving without them. I had company coming and wanted those cherries! I climbed back up the now stable ladder (half way this time….my feet were on the 6th rung the first time) and proceeded to finish off my gallon bucket.

Then I called my chiropractor and made a beeline for his office. I’ve been back about 5 times since, and he’s got my tailbone almost back in place. The bruises are healing, I’m still sore and it’s still hard to sit. But I’m sure enjoying those cherries!