I was excited for a low key night managing our little hotel. My parents were the "official" managers. I was just a little substitute. The evening was quiet and I was enjoying watching a bit of television.
Then came the frantic call from the babysitter. "Your nephew Adam has stepped on a fish hook and it's pronged, we can't get it out, and it's bleeding, and all the kids are crying, and what do I do? I told her to call the family doctor, that I would find someone to substitute for me, and then I would come get him and take him to the clinic.
It was around 7 pm on a Saturday night. My parent's brother and his wife (Adam's parents) were in a special meeting at the church. This was long before cell phones became commonplace. I had no way to reach his parents, or my parents.
I called a friend who is exceptionally quick at learning new things. She also had lots of secretarial experience. She came immediately. I gave her a 10 minute tutorial on managing a motel. Then with a prayer in my heart for her, the hotel, but especially Adam I drove off in a fury to get to Adam.
When I got to the house everyone was remarkably calm. Adam was joking with the babysitter. This while he literally has a four pronged fish hook sticking out of his toe. You couldn't push the nasty thing through, and you couldn't pull it out.
I don't even remember the drive to the clinic where Adam's family doctor met us. I just kept saying to myself, "If you are scared, then Adam will be scared." Somehow I managed not to share the information that I was one big shaking mess.
Adam was a champion. I can't even remember how the doctor got the nasty thing out of Adam's toe. I do remember that Adam was quite calm about the whole thing. I don't think he was even 10 years old yet. He and doctor were joking back and forth.
Adam was quite proud of the grisly trophy. Then came the news that Adam had to have a tetanus shot. This young lad that had not shed one tear during the drive over, or the mini-surgery to remove the hook finally reached his saturation point.
I held him with big tears in my eyes while he cried as the shot proceeded.
Afterwards I took him home. I was in awe of how quickly this boy bounced back from the trauma. When I left he was regaling his older brothers with his experience.
I went home, and proceeded to shake for two hours. Adam....he was a brave lad then, and he's a star now! LOVE YOU ADAM! (I have TWO nephews named Adam. One of them is on my husband's side of the family. This nephew that I'm referring to is on my side of the family. The good news is that I ADORE both Adam's!
One can never have too many wonderful men named Adam in their family!
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass....it's about learning to dance in the rain!
I dare say I remember that day fairly well. I remember a Hook, I believe it was a bait hook for Sharks, maybe 13 inches from point to eyelet. We arrived at the clinic and the doctor told me he wanted to try out his new ice sculpting chain saw. I was okay with that. I remember a little blood, a little cartilage, no biggie. Then they brought our the needle, I hate needles, I have always and will always hate needles. I would rather take a charging rhino to the gut, than deal with a needle in the...well...anywhere. I think they used a Six million gauge needle on me too. It was the only really traumatic part of the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI think what I will always remember most is the scared I was, trembling on the inside but putting on a good face for my brothers, and then my Aunt came. She was the picture of confidence and love. I knew that with her there I was fine. I will forever be grateful for the strength and true charity she showed to a scared little boy.