A close encounter with a snowboarder left me with a badly broken arm that shattered my delusions of invincibility. I have come to a deeper appreciation of the meaning of the word incapacitated. This experience has also led me to revise my definition of other words like wealth, security, faith and perdition.

Since my accident, my house has been filled with the fragrance of glorious bouquets, my shelves lined with sympathetic cards, my fridge full of wonderful food and my phone ringing with offers of outings and aid.

I have learned that the meaning of wealth is having friends that care. Security is recognizing that we are part of a social construct that holds us in place with strong bonds and will not let us fall. I have faith in humankind. Together we are invincible. The only loss that really matters is the loss of that human support. It is the absence of caritas that leads to penury.

Like Silas Marner, who recouped his lost gold in the golden curls of the foundling Eppie and found himself far richer, I see clearly now that I am wealthy beyond measure and that in connection the human spirit is indomitable.

With humble gratitude,

Mary Rice

Kennebunkport