Dear Sister Joann: Camp, Y2K, The Mugging
Joann,
The Y2K problem is close to resolution. I will still be able to take my vacation to Maine after all. That was a real relief.
Camp this weekend was much better than last summer, probably because it was much cooler and folks weren’t at each other’s throats due to the heat. A very relaxed holiday get-together it was. A great way to get into the Christmas spirit. The temps were in the 40s and 50s, and we did some shopping and took a couple hikes. A great weekend.
Thanks for the well wishes, regarding my attack [mugging] the other night. It was definitely a frightening experience.
The story was that on the way home from the movie last Tuesday night, I was attacked and assaulted as you already know. A man approached me, wanting a cigarette. When I told him I didn’t have any, he moved in front of me, blocking my path. Sensing trouble, I bolted around him and began to run as fast as I could. He chased me, cursing under his breath. When he started gaining on me, I began screaming to get others’ attention. But then he hit me hard on the head with something, with enough force to knock me down and leave a nasty laceration. But fortunately, I was able to get up and get away from him.
Bleeding badly, I managed to get myself home and call the police. They came and took me to Frankford Hospital. It took 5 stitches to close the head wound. And they had to shave my hair off around the site of the injury. So I guess I’ll look a bit strange when I visit home, this holiday season. 
Then, after the hospital trip, I went to the police barracks and a detective spent an hour or so gathering information about the incident. He let me see some mug shots but I could not identify the person. He said that an arrest would be unlikely. But they might stumble onto this person if he gets into other trouble and they catch him. The police were very thoughtful and kind and really treated this as a very important incident, even though they no doubt see this sort of thing often. Every one of them, from the 911 operator to the ones that took the initial report and the one who drove me home afterwards, all were very concerned about me and were very comforting. I think I’m going to write a letter of praise.
Anyway, I think I’m alright, although the doctor said that I’m likely to have a nasty headache for the next couple days with possible disorientation. FYI. Well he got the headache part right, but so far, no disorientation or dizziness.
I don’t think I ever really understood the fight or flight response until that night. I tell you, once I sensed imminent danger hearing that guy’s footfalls and angry curses behind me, my brain and body went into automatic overdrive mode. Gone were all thoughts, inhibitions, and pain. Even though he hit me hard enough to draw blood and topple me, the pain was surprisingly little – almost nonexistent. All were replaced with one, single, tightly focussed directive. And that was to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible, with as much noise as possible. It was like I was outside my body, watching the whole thing in a movie. My body was under its own direction at that point (sheer survival instinct), and I was just along for the ride. But I never felt my heart pump so fast, my legs thrust me forward with such force, nor did I know I could scream as loudly as I did – I even set off a few car alarms as I passed them – you know, the noise. Guess you guys always knew that I had a big mouth, ‘eh? It really took the jerk by surprise and I think that the screams were what made him back off finally, and run the other way. *Thankfully*
The head injury is healing well and no longer hurts today, although a bit of a lump still remains. I’m still a bit frightened when going out at night. But hopefully this will pass with time.
Well, must get to work. Thanks for asking. Everyone’s been so supportive.
Talk to you soon, Joann.
Later.