I took a fall last week trying to fill a deer feeder with corn. I should have known better. Actually, I do know better, but I wanted to get them filled before family showed up for the Thanksgiving break.

This particular deer feeder is on a tripod that stands about seven feet above the ground. I pulled a trailer up next to the legs of the feeder. From the trailer, I laid a ladder up against the fifty-gallon barrel that held the corn. I made sure the ladder was secure before I scaled up and pried off the lid, I mean I’m not stupid; I’ve done this many times before.

I slowly climbed up the ladder about three steps, gave it a slight shake to check for stability, then pulled the lid off so I could pour in the corn.

All things considered; I was about six feet off the ground. About the dept of a lowered coffin.

I slowly climbed back down, tore open a bag of corn, placed it on my shoulder and started back up the ladder. Can you see where this is going?

I began to pour the corn in the barrel, shifting the weight. The deer feeder began to fall backwards, and my ladder followed with me on it. I felt like I was in slow motion as I fell.

The feeder hit the ground, the ladder hit the ground, then I hit the ground holding a bag of corn. Bam, bam, bam!

I hit so hard that it knocked the wind out of my lungs. I had a flashback to junior high football when I got the wind knocked out of me for the very first time, I thought I was going to die.

In my younger years, I bounced off the ground a little when I fell. I’d hop right back up and keep on going.

At sixty, you don’t bounce, you splat. I felt like a raw biscuit being dropped on a tile floor. I stuck my landing for sure.

I came down on my right arm and shoulder, my head hit the ground last. I rolled over on my back trying to get my breath by doing what my junior high coach told me to do all those years ago, “just relax and breath Howey, you’ll be fine.”

It’s funny what one thinks about in times like that.

Lying on my back in deer corn, I remained still, trying to get my breathing back in rhythm. My right arm and shoulder were throbbing, so I reached over to learn if any bones were sticking out of my skin. No breaks, I couldn’t believe it.

Nobody knew I was out there, so if I needed help, there was none. My dog Cash was no help. He was busy dropping a stick on my chest hoping I would get up and play fetch.

I did not get up for about five minutes. Once I made sure I had no serious injuries, I just lay there thinking about what could have happened. I could have broken my neck, cracked my head open, I could have died. It happens….

I eventually rolled onto my belly and got onto my knees. Before I stood up, I thanked God for protecting me from my stupidity.

I am lucky that I didn’t end up in the hospital, or worse.

I am lucky for all of my good fortune in life.

I am lucky to just be extremely sore from my fall.

I am lucky that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family this week.

I am lucky to be alive.

I am a lucky man.

Thank you, God, for all my luck.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].