On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use. ~Epictetus

Only I could get a concussion while checking the mail.

The few people I've told about the mail incident earlier this week have reacted about the same. "I've never had a concussion.", "WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME???", "I have to hear this one."

Well. It isn't the first time I've had a concussion. Or the third, even.

My first concussion was the worst. I was in second or third grade, doing the super fun and daring "cherry drop" from the highest high bar on the playground. I did this stuff every day. Mom was always on my case for getting blisters on my hands from playing on the bars all the time.

Anyway. I fell directly on my skull. I saw stars and drew in my breath, held it, and let out an epic wail. I was more scared than anything - couldn't understand what had just happened or why I was still spinning.

That was my first concussion. My other ones haven't been so incredibly epic, but they have all been painful.

The mail incident was no exception. I was in a hurry to get to work, but I remembered that I was waiting for something to arrive by mail, so I tried my key in the lock. It didn't work. Rrrg. I just had that key made!

I ran (okay, walked swiftly) upstairs to grab my roommate's mail key just inside the door. My dog greeted me happily and I had to say goodbye to him yet again. Such an excitable pup.

Back downstairs, I opened the mailbox and saw a giant stash of envelopes and many totally FREE advertisements from retailers around our area. How lucky am I that they figured out I needed a new carpet cleaning company?

I had to get to work quickly and didn't want to upset my dog again, so I took everything out of the mailbox bent down to shove it into my briefcase, which I had put at my feet.

When I had fit everything in and zipped up the case, I proudly stood up, grinning to myself. Directly into the corner of my mailbox door. No longer smiling - I suppose gasping for air and squealing in pain at the same time makes smiling difficult - I had a seat on the steps nearby.

I checked for blood and found that I had at least not broken any skin. But I was dizzy and feeling a bit... not right. Definitely a concussion. From the mailbox.

Once again, my mother was proven right. I really should wear a helmet at all times.