Ouch!

There we were, in Target, looking for an alarm clock for me. Even while, unbeknownst to me, Gene was at home repairing an ancient one that now works fine. Clara decided she and Margaret both needed alarm clocks, "just in case." In case of what? I asked. "You know," she said. When I said, we would think about it, Clara started doing The Dance of Desperation, hopping up and down and moving her arms a little. I leaned over to look at a clock and suddenly saw stars and felt such pain I yelled out. And grabbed my nose and collapsed on a bottom shelf. I was dripping blood.
I think Clara's titanium head connected with my nose, which means she can now hop fairly high. Gene is a master at protecting his face and other parts from them, but I am, obviously, more lax. Anyway, I sat there, crying with my eyes closed and groping in my pocketbook for a Kleenex or napkin. I found one and pressed it to my nose.
"Mama, what happened?" asked Margaret. "Mama, stop crying," said Clara.
I peeked at them and saw nearby shoppers casting sideways glances at me. By now, the napkin was also dripping blood. I felt the top of my nose and it didn't feel broken. "Girls, it's okay, Mama's nose hurts. Clara's head hit my nose."
"Are you okay?" A woman I didn't know touched my shoulder. She turned to Margaret, who looked like she might cry, and explained to her that Mama had gotten hurt and that was why she was crying. She asked them if they cried when they were hurt, and Margaret said, yes, and Clara announced, with her arms folded across her chest, "I never cry!" Which made me smile.
This woman was so kind, she gave me a Kleenex and talked to Clara and Margaret while I stood up and dried my tears. Even as oblivious UGA students pushed past us.
In the parking lot, we ran into Miss Ani, one of the girls' teachers. It was as if they had seen the heavenly host descending. They both started to wiggle with joy. Imagine! Miss Ani! How wonderful! If they had their way, they would go to school seven days a week. They are so into it. The whole day is one big love fest for the class and the teachers. It's costing us a good bit of money for them to go there, but it's so worth it. To start off loving school will keep them going forever, I hope.
Clara has gotten to be the line leader and Margaret has been the caboose. They have helped carry lunches to the refrigerator (I think our lunches in elementary school just got hot, didn't they?) and wipe the tables before they eat. And they are learning to clean up not only their little lunch messes, but their neighbors. On Wednesdays, they go to chapel and see our beloved Father Robert. It's all just great.
This morning, my nose is swollen and the tip of it is bruised. But the alarm clock, it works fine.