The Fall That Taught Me Gratitude | by D. Manisha | Nov, 2025
(A life-changing accident reminded me that even in pain, there’s kindness, and even in fear, there’s faith.)
Sometimes life stops us, only to show how blessed we really are.
A few weeks ago, I met with an accident that could have changed everything.A head injury, seven stitches, and a wrist fracture that needed surgery. But instead of fear, the first feeling that came to me was gratitude.
It could have been worse.
I could have lost mobility.
I could have been left alone in the middle of nowhere.
But life, in its mysterious kindness, surrounded me with people who cared.
The Day Everything Changed
It happened during my trip to Kedarnath – a journey I had been so excited for. One moment I was riding a horse, and the next, I was on the ground. The world blurred, the pain was sharp, I could hardly recollect the moment I hit the ground I could feel blood trickling down my face & my unable to lift my left wrist.
but, before I could even process what had happened, kindness appeared in the form of strangers.
• A woman covered me with her shawl, shielding me from the cold. I still hold that shawl and it just a reminder of the day but, in a good way.
• Another gently tied a bandage to stop the bleeding.
• Someone else offered me dried fruits – a small act, but it felt like warmth in the middle of chaos.
People I didn’t know stood by me, offering help, calm, and compassion ❤️.
The Helpers I’ll Never Forget
A Palki carrier at Kedarnath didn’t just carry me down the steep path;
he waited until I got first aid, refusing to leave until he safely carry me to my car which was not part of his job.
The driver we had hired for our trip – a man I barely knew handed over his license to the authorities as a guarantee that he was taking a patient down a restricted route.
He said, “If I don’t bring a patient back with me, you can seize my licence.”
And he drove slowly, carefully, ensuring every turn didn’t add to my pain. This was 10–15 hours journey from Sersi till Delhi airport and in between also halted near Hospital and waited till I got my treatment.
My co-travellers, friends, and sister – they cancelled all plans, stayed by my side, and made sure I got the medical attention I needed.
It wasn’t just care; it was love in action.
A Different Kind of Healing
Physical healing is measurable – stitches close, bones mend but, the healing of the heart comes from moments like these.
I learned that even when we fall literally life sends us people who lift us back up.
Gratitude isn’t just saying thank you when things go right. It’s recognizing the quiet grace that surrounds us when things go wrong.
That day, I realized how fragile and precious life is. I could have been filled with fear or anger, but instead, I felt blessed. Blessed to be alive, to be cared for, to have people around me when I needed them most.
Sometimes, life gives us gentle reminders through harsh events.Mine came wrapped in pain, but unfolded into gratitude. And today, as I type this with my healing wrist, I know one thing for sure I’ve never been more thankful to be here.
Takeaway
If you’re reading this, take a moment today to notice the small kindness around you — a friend who checks-in, the stranger who smiles, the driver who waits an extra minute, the family who stands by you. Because these moments are life’s way of whispering – you’re not alone. 🙂
