I broke this woman's rib

I vowed about a year or two ago to stop responding to private messages on facebook. I would type stuff and it would get destroyed. There is no way to forward. It just seemed like a long line of frustrations.

I normally go to facebook about once every week or two.

Today I found this.

Hi Paul,

We met last year at PV1. Probably not a memorable meeting for you (we sat next to each other during one of the lectures in the big room) but, long story short, I've been on a big healing journey since then and I basically always credit you (indirectly) for it's beginning. I broke my rib while sitting next to you (you had no idea! I had no idea! no worries!), which started a whole cascade of events leading me where I am today, MUCH healthier after years of serious illness. So, thank you!

I almost never talk about the fact that I was so sick (most people who know me have no idea) but I heard the "Paul Wheaton broke my rib" story coming out of my mouth yet again this morning, hence the reaching out on facebook. I'm basically just a goofball, most of my friends tolerate me fairly well. wink emoticon Welcome to me.

And many thanks for breaking my rib. (so to speak) wink emoticon

Wow. I am baffled that this is even possible. I suppose somebody could have super fragile bones.

What sort of meeting was this?☺

If Jocelyn said "Paul got frisky and broke my rib" I could see that. You're a big guy.

A bone disease maybe? Or an attention seeker.

Merriment flail! You made her laugh so hard she broke a rib.

At least it doesn't sound like she actually blames you; to hear her tell it, you just happened to be in proximity when her rib up and broke. No, I do not know WTF.

I've learned that if I ever totally fail to understand plain English, I should probably look it up in the urban dictionary.

I'm even more confused now...

It is possible, there are a few conditions that make bones easy to break. Some are genetic and some are caused by diseases... It could very well be she sat near Paul and laughed too hard.

Anyways I hope she is mended and Paul continues to be such a source of merriment for years to come.

It can often be wonderful to receive unexpected praise or a thank you. Especially from someone you weren't even particularly aware of. It can be a nice affirmation of life and goodness. But, ....in that little part of me that is "fearful", I would be just a little cautious with how I might reply to such a message. If someone writes to say you just ran over their cat or that you broke their arm and it changed their life, and you reply that you are glad that your (albeit unintended or even unknown) breaking of their arm was helpful, you just admitted to causing them pain and injury. And lawyers don't like that. It might be better off replying to such contacts by saying/writing that you are glad their life is going well and you hope their life continues wonderfully for them. From a moral point of view, it's always best to admit when you are wrong and then take the consequences. But, from a legal point of view, I'd ask a lawyer first and keep your month shut until you do.

That was an amusing anecdote... but, it happens... Being a tall man myself, though not as large in stature, I have experience such things.  It is easy for a large man of well over 200lb can unintentionally hurt a smaller, weaker person.    About 15 years ago, this hillbilly encountered middle Georgia chiggers.. got about 1,000 bites in one day, had a reaction and had to go to a doctor.  The little, old doctor gave me a shot in my sciatic area ( I had recently recovered from 2 blown discs, so that wasn't a good isea) I passed out and fell on him.... like a tree.  On the bright side, it has taught me the value of a l lot of those manners I was taught as a child in the American South...... open doors for women and elders, step out of the way, look out for, care for and protect both them and people of smaller stature.  That, is not a bad thing.  Being freaky strong isn't bad either.  Nature balances it out by making the smaller folks much quicker.... which never fails to annoy me.  Being big necessitates being a gentleman... or a lout... that is your choice.... at least we get to choose!  One caveat - my uncle was about your size.  When he began to experience some health issues later n in life, the doctors were obsessed with his BMI.  They were so intent on bringing his weight down that they essentially starved him, making him very weak and unhealthy.  Meanwhile, they totally missed his hereditary fatty liver disease.... they diagnosed diabetes and blamed it on his weight, which was malpractice.  He died, essentially, of malnutrition and the build of toxins in his blood from a failing liver.

The problem with Facebook is that people tend to be vague. They don't intend to be I think, they just are and it leaves you wondering.

I have no idea, but I know a few months ago when I took a chainsaw to the face, my problem seemed to be a concussion and a darn chainsaw cut in the face! The truth was the Dr's found another issue, a pituitary gland issue that looking back seems obvious now. Massive mood swings. Intense anger. Heart Attack like symptoms. Extreme Fatigue, so when I read the ladies Facebook message, that was how I took it.

She had a broken rib and did not know it while seated next to you at the class, but upon discovering the broken rib, other health issues were found, and then addressed. Probably somewhere along the way she contributes permicultural lifestyle to addressing those health issues.

But what the heck do I know, I am just a dumb sheep farmer.