A Journey of Healing, Sisterhood, and a Missing Shoe

When I think of New England, I picture the stunning fall foliage, the rich history, the covered bridges and the charming small towns scattered across the region. And, yes - it is all of those things and more. But sometimes, life has a way of taking unexpected twists (ouch) and turns. What follows is a series of events that were both hilarious and heartwarming.

I had been in New England for two days during what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway to visit our beloved Alpha Chi Omega sorority sister, Kathy, who had moved East with her husband, a native New Englander. A group of 9 of her fellow pledge sisters would be visiting (see previous blog post) to experience the crisp Fall air, the pumpkin-decorated stone walls, and the cozy vibe of the region’s historic towns in our collective vision for a perfect vacation. We had all been planning it for months and months after numerous Zoom calls since we all lived in different parts of the Country.  I’d even designed a cute banner for the occasion and the hostess and another sorority sister, Teri ordered mugs for everyone from my Greek Happy shop to mark the occasion. Yes, that was a shameless plug, but isn't the banner cute?!

 

 

Unfortunately, our much-anticipated trip would take a rather dramatic turn. It all started during the second hour of Day 2 of the Monadnock Art Open Studio Tour. I had been walking along the very same path as everyone else, enjoying lively conversation and being inspired by all of the amazing art in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. It was the epitome of a picture-perfect autumn day in New England on what was sure to be an uplifting and inspiring day.  We took a “shortcut” through a meadow to get to the next studio on the tour. But in the blink of an eye, I lost my footing and found myself flat on my face after hearing a series of bones on my left foot crack beneath me. I had stepped right into a dreaded (and deep!) woodchuck hole. As I tumbled to the ground, my ankle gave way, and the sharp pain that followed made it clear that this would not be a minor injury. I was on the ground in shock and in the flurry of being carried to the car by my sorority sisters and shuttled off to the ER, I lost track of my left shoe. I mean it was the last thing on my mind.

In the blink of an eye, my Alpha Chi sisters and I would be rushed to the emergency room, waiting for the doctors. We split up into two groups so that the majority of the group could go on to have lunch and enjoy the nearby town of Peterborough, while two of my lovely sisters waited with me for hours along with the care of nurses, Scott and Matt, at the efficiently-run Monadnock Community Hospital.

 

We would learn that I had broken my ankle and would be given an Air Cast and crutches, along with the order to avoid any weight bearing on the injured foot for 2 weeks. Suddenly, the dream of an idyllic Fall getaway and Alpha Chi reunion had shifted into a little bit of a nightmare. I was relegated each day and night to reclining on my friend’s comfy couch while hostess, Kathy, a Nurse Practitioner, ensured I was staying ahead of the pain, keeping close watch on my medication schedule. She even slept on the floor next to me on an air mattress that first night to make sure I didn't miss one, single dose of pain relief. Now that’s sisterhood!

As the days and nights progressed, my dear sisters cooked and brought me little treats and entertained me with their antics while I stayed in a prone position on the couch.  Sometimes, I would reposition my body, sit myself up and they would drag a little table over so we could manage to play a game of Code Names. And, if you haven't played this game, I highly recommend it! 

In short, we made the best of the situation and my sorority sisters took such kind, loving care of me and made me feel included, even though I was sort of out of it. One night, while everyone was asleep upstairs, I even had a front row view from the couch through the floor to ceiling windows of a powerful storm that had moved in to the region, complete with a grand display of thunder and lightning like I’d never experienced before. It shook the entire house.  New England certainly is dramatic!

Little did I know that my injury would lead to even more unexpected twists and turns, including the comical misadventure of a runaway tennis shoe.

The Mystery of My Missing Shoe

I have to admit that I was pretty upset and felt sorry for myself, as well as for everyone else, because I believed that I had ruined my friend’s vacation plans, so the last thing I was thinking about was my shoe. But in the chaos of getting into one of the rental cars after the injury, I had done something that I didn’t realize at the time would have major repercussions: I had taken my shoe off to examine the damage to my ankle which by that time had swollen to the size of a tennis ball, and in the confusion, I had left my shoe behind.

“If only I’d worn my boots that day, instead of tennis shoes!” would be my internal mantra for the coming weeks. Maybe my boots would have better protected me during the fall?

But, the story of my missing shoe doesn’t end here.  In fact, it’s just the beginning.

My Hero Husband to the Rescue

Fortunately, the plan all along was that my cute husband, Greg Novak, the intrepid realtor would meet me in New Hampshire after the sorority reunion, so that we could enjoy some of the foliage together around New England. Thank goodness for Greg because I don't think I would have managed very well on my own after everyone left for home. He even rescued our Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast by using that good brain of his and doing some quick math after I inadvertently dumped the entire box of Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix (instead of the necessary 1 cup) into a bowl.Oops! Thanks, honey!

 

After leaving Jaffrey, we saw a little bit more of beautiful New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, from the windshield of our rental car.  But, we did manage to sneak in a little fun, here and there, including an hour in the adorable town of Woodstock, Vermont (we'll be back, Woodstock!).

I was able to hobble up the ramp on my crutches to enjoy a yummy meal at the famous Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, Vermont and somehow we were able to snag Table #7 (hot tip) overlooking the Ottauqueechee River.

And, fortunately, we were able to schedule a visit with my lovely former work colleague, Johanna, who now lives in Cabot, Vermont. Is she adorable or what?! And, what a genius! Since I was still recovering, Johanna made the hour-plus long trek to visit us at our AirBnb near Lake Champlain. Yet another kindness offered, since in many ways, Johanna feels like a sister, too!

Johanna and her husband own a super cool business called Harry's Hardware & The Den in Cabot, that boasts not only a popular local music scene but is the epicenter of that community as a much-treasured "third place." 

Johanna invented their "Buy Your Buddy a Beer" Board which is such a great idea! Harry's attracts not only Cabot locals, but some of the most talented musicians in the region.  You can read all about her Vermont adventures on her website and follow her on Instagram @hhcabotvt to get the latest news on the amazing live music scene there.

 

"Have a Good Winter!"

After our lovely visit with Johanna, fueled by kindness and pounds of Cabot Cheese, we made our way out to the coast of Maine.  By a stroke of luck, we made it to Nunan's Lobster Hut in Cape Porpoise, Maine an hour before closing on their very last night of the season. We kept hearing other customers saying "have a good winter" to each other and just figured it was what people said in these parts.  We didn't realize it was closing night until we saw their staff gathered around a box of left over lobster tails being parsed out. Luck was on our side...

My Shoe Takes a Journey of Its Own

As our vacation began winding down, the last thing on my mind was my shoe. After all, the most important thing on my mind was my ankle getting better. But little did I know, my shoe had already taken an adventure without me. It was a few days after everyone had returned home left that I received the following text:

Hi! I hope you are feeling better! Not that you are looking for it, but your left shoe was in the rental car.  I’ll mail it to you.  Take care sweet sister.

My shoe had been thoughtfully transported to Los Angeles while I was still on the East Coast and had been stuffed into the luggage of my incredibly thoughtful sorority sister. My missing shoe had ended up in the backseat of her rental car, tucked away and forgotten in all of the commotion.

When the Shoe Came Back… Wrapped With A Pretty Pink Ribbon

Several weeks passed, and I realized that Kathy and I were going to be in the same area, so I arranged to stop by to retrieve my adventurous shoe.Kathy had prepared the most delicious lunch which Greg and I enjoyed with her in her lovely backyard. What else would one expect from Kathy Lany, an award-winning agent in Orange County?

 

It was a lovely, heartfelt reminder that life may not always go according to plan, but there is always room for humor, love, and thoughtfulness even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

The Importance of Sorority Sisterhood

When I received the shoe, wrapped in cellophane with a pink ribbon, I thought about all the moments we had shared as sorority sisters, the way we had supported one another through thick and thin, and the memories we had created over the years. What began as a random item, my wayward shoe, turned into a symbol of the lasting bonds we had formed.

There is something special about the friendships that are forged in the fire of shared experiences — especially in sorority life. Whether it’s supporting one another through tough times or celebrating joyous occasions, there’s a bond and an unconditional amount of support that is hard to find elsewhere. My ankle injury, though painful, served as a reminder of the deep care and love that my sisters have for one another. Not once did anyone complain that I had ruined their vacation.  They didn’t just help me have fun and try to see the humor in the situation, but they took the time to ensure that my misplaced shoe find its way home in the most charming way possible.

The pink ribbon and cellophane wrap seemed like a small gesture at first, but in the grand scheme of things, it represented something much bigger. It was about taking care of each other — even when the circumstances are inconvenient or unexpected. Whether it’s a shoe, or just being there to listen when things aren’t going as planned, those are the moments that matter.

A Tale of Resilience and Laughter

In hindsight, my trip to New England became an unexpected adventure — one that involved more than just breathtaking scenery and fall colors, time with my husband and my sorority sisters and a sweet and inspiring visit with a former work colleague-turned-Vermont-business-owner. It was a story of resilience, friendship, and the unexpected twists life throws our way. My broken ankle, which initially felt like such a huge setback, ended up being a reminder of the kindness and humor that can emerge from the most unlikely of situations.

While my recovery is moving along, the memories I made with my sorority sisters, with my friend Johanna and with my husband during that time — the laughter, the support, and yes, the returning of a shoe wrapped in cellophane — helped me heal in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It wasn’t just the physical injury I had to recover from; it was also the emotional healing that came from reconnecting with some of the dearest friends in my life that mattered most.

And as for the shoe? Well, it remains wrapped in cellophane as a funny and cherished part of my story, one that will always remind me that sometimes, life’s detours are where the true adventure begins. So, whether you’re dealing with a broken ankle, a wayward shoe, or just navigating life’s unexpected twists and turns, remember that there’s always room for gratitude, humor, and love for the people you care about and who care about you — and sometimes, the most unexpected journeys turn out to be the most memorable.