I was about 10 years old. We had a countertop with barstools. My mom always told me to not lean back on the stools because I would fall and bust my head open. I would still do it behind her back. I was such a little daredevil.
So I was eating lunch, sitting on the barstool. My mom was in the living room and I was sitting behind her in the kitchen. I remember eating M&Ms because I made a flower out of them on the counter top, and I took a picture on my phone.
I was swinging my feet and just goofing off. I started to lean back on the stool. I did it quietly so my mom wouldn't hear me doing it. All of a sudden I felt myself falling backward and BANG, I hit the floor.
I didn't realize what had happened. I sat up and I saw blood. Blood everywhere. I don't remember if I cried from pain or just being scared. My mom started yelling until she saw what happened. She picked me up like I weighed nothing and carried me to the bathroom.
My mom and my stepfather assessed the damage. I busted my pinkie toe open. The barstool fell right on my toe. My stepfather said I was going to need stitches. I remember crying and saying, "I don't want stitches." He said that the kitchen looked like a butcher shop from all the blood. I obviously didn't think it was funny.
I don't know how I got to the car but we went to the ER. It took a long time before they could see me. I remember that I was in so much pain. I wasn't even crying anymore at that point. My mom thinks I was probably in shock.
The doctor saw me and did an X-ray. I broke my toe along with busting it open. That must've been one legit barstool! Eventually, they gave me a couple of shots in my foot and gave me 5 stitches. My brother, my stepfather, and my mother were all there for me. My brother was teasing me saying, "You should've listened to mom." But I know he was terrified. We both tilted the barstools back on a regular basis.
When I got home, my M&Ms were still sitting there on the counter. I showed my mom and she just laughed. It's amazing how fast things can escalate. I realized that it was only my toe that was hurt. I could've easily busted my head open, or injured my back.
My minor injury was enough to keep from ever disrespecting my parents again. I know to this day I haven't leaned back once in any chair really. I know I should've listened to my mom. I just wanted to be rebellious and stupid. I was 10, what did I know?
Unfortunately, I had to get hurt to understand the major lesson of respecting your parents. Listen to your parents. No matter what they have to say. They truly want what's best for you. You don't even realize what you have put them through. But they love you will all of their heart!
