Learning to Bootstrap My Way Through Life
I had a serious fall from a tree (see www.redha.net ) at the end of year three elementary or at the beginning of year four. It disturbed the alignment of my right side and caused a lot of pain when walking. Even though I had no illusions about my father's care for me, I still ventured a request to be sent and picked up from school. After all, he sent my sisters all the time. Predictably, all he said was: concentrate on your breathing and be very quiet and still till you could hear your own heartbeat. That way your pain would become secondary. Maybe there was something in his suggestion. After all the eavesdropping that I had done, I concluded that he was somewhat of a warrior in his younger days. I was determined to go to school. Thus I walked to school and back, completely still, focused on my breathing, listening intently to my heartbeat. I also decided that no one who did not love me had any right to hurt me. Wo...