You might have damaged the crank.
If it has a Briggs engine, the crankshaft and flywheel are keyed together with an aluminum or zinc die-cast key, which will tend to shear, throwing the ignition time off. Tecumseh is similar except uses a steel key which will transmit more force to the flywheel.

If you were handy, I'd suggest removing the flywheel on a Briggs and replacing the key. Then see if the engine starts and runs acceptably. If it runs, but there is vibration, then the crank has been bent, and either the engine or the entire motor needs to be junked. Don't let anyone talk you into straightening the crank. The crank is cast iron, and could later fail catastrophically possibly resulting in injury.

A Tecumseh engine, while similar, is more likely to damage the crank and flywheel because of the steel key. Also, Tecumseh has been out of business for several years, and replacement parts are becoming harder to obtain.

Since you say you don't have the necessary skill set to do repairs, your best bet may be to purchase another new machine.

Thank you, ggoyenche. Yes, it is a Briggs and Stratton engine. If repairs are going to cost over a hundred, I figured maybe I should consider a new lawn mower. I am a widow who knows nothing about lawn mowers except how to use them and get a spring check up. My husband would kill me for doing this.

Did you BEND the crank?

Maybe, Bill. I will have to let you know on that tomorrow when I take it out of the garage and turn it over. I did this at the end of the season last year so I am not 100% sure. When I pulled the cord the 'kickback' was powerful. Not worth risking breaking my arm over.

Thanks, !saxman. I had a nice chat with a lawn mower repair person last week. His opinion was that repairs could be half the value of a machine close to 10 years old, and to think another lawn mower. I briefly used my son's husqvanna and immediately liked it. So we will see. No decisions this week.