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It was a fabulous autumn day, clear skies, sun shining and a nice cool breeze was in the air. The football team had just won big. A friend’s son played QB in the 3rd and 4th quarters and even made a run for the final TD! Awesome! The drive home was still ahead and plans were to watch another college game on the television once we arrived home. All seemed well with the world as the traffic made its way from the college town.
Ahead, in the traffic a red car seemed to momentarily lose control as it went off the shoulder of the road. Seeming to over correct the vehicle, it reentered the highway and it appeared that control of the car had been regained. Suddenly, there was red dirt swirling in the air and within that, an automobile turning over and over and over. ”Oh my God and Dear Jesus!” were the cries of prayer made by those witnessing this terrible event. Several vehicles immediately behind that car pulled over to the side of the highway. Passengers emerged from each stopped car, running towards the mangled red car. Contents of the car and souvenirs littered the ground amid metal, glass and large parts of the car strown through the tumbling path of the car. Surprisingly, the passenger door was opening as the dust began to settle.
A tall, strong-looking young teenager stood and calmly walked away from the car. He appeared to have no injury except for a cut on his left hand; bleeding, yet quite superficial. His grandmother was the driver and remained in the car and was calling out to him “Bradley, where are you Bradley?” and she called for another, “Where is Drew?”, “Where is Drew?”, Oh dear God, where is Drew?”. Bradley pointed, as we approached, to a body approximately 30 feet from the wrecked automobile. Drew. He appeared to be 12 or 13 years old. Drew was prone with his head to the side as though he were lying in the bed taking a nap, unconscious. However, blood trickled, no; it was gently pumping out of his nose and mouth onto the dry ground slowly draining downhill.
“I’m a nurse”, one woman said. ”I’m a doctor”, another woman said. There were two other Emergency Department nurses who witnessed the accident and were on the scene. Dear God, what should be done? The grandmother and one boy were awake and alert. As the driver, the grandmother appeared to have injured her right ankle, perhaps the left also. Since the car was turned off and seemed to not have a gas leak nor was there threat of fire, she was encouraged to stay in the car until the paramedics would arrive and position and stabilise her injuries. There was no obvious bleeding from her either and her conversation showed that she was oriented to what had happened. Bradley was using his cell phone to call family to let them know what had happened. Non medical people stood at his side should he need support as others stayed with the driver.
Medical professionals are taught to respond and how to respond in emergencies. Quick decisions and swift action to manage medical problems is second nature to many of the medically trained. However, as they refocused their attention on Drew, they considered the possibilities. Did he have a pulse? Was he breathing? Should he be turned onto his back and CPR initiated? If turned, much care would need to be taken to protect the spine. And once on his back, how would his airway be maintained? Turning him and beginning CPR would not be of much help if there is not a way to supply oxygen to his lungs. The paramedics had not arrived, no endotraceal tube to maintain an open airway. No ambu bag to ventilate and supply oxygen to his lungs. No way to apply pressure to internal bleeding coming from within his face. No way to initiate an IV for fluid replacement. Turning him and beginning CPR would not be of much help if there is not a way to supply oxygen to his lungs… There was blood coming from his mouth and nose. What to do? Do something! But what? Helplessness seemed to have a grip on them.
“Oh God, help this family.”
This is a true story in which I participated. The young boy was pronounced dead on the scene once the emergency medical personnel arrived. The grandmother and other young boy were taken to a nearby hospital where they were treated and released. I feel a lump in my stomach and throat every time I think of the young boys life that was lost that day. As an Emergency Department nurse, helplessness is not something I’m used to feeling unless there is the loss of life. It is a reminder to me that it is God that ultimately decides who will live and who will die. The family remains heavy on my heart and mind also. Pray for them, please.
Morning Has Broken
Pushing the heat and humidity of summer aside in order to make way for a coolness, autumn arrives. As the earth is thankful for the relief of summer, my spirit is thankful for the refreshing that comes with autumn. Anticipation of the harvest of the earth’s fruits and man’s labors, so autumn brings an anticipation to me. What is this about? Could it be a comforting from the memories of days to come?
School days and friends, a routine begins again. The sounds of the afternoon in the neighborhood; coaches whistles being blown simultaneously with the crunching sound of helmets and football pads as they collide and the cadence of the high school band drums keeping time for the band as the brass and woodwinds sound the melody. Yet further still, another layer is heard, it is the rhythmic chanting and clapping from the practice of cheerleaders and dance teams. Those were the days of my youth and are the same for my children.
As a young mother, I remember taking children to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Bales of hay stacked high act as a maze causing some children to squeal with laughter and others to cry from the fear of being ‘lost’. One year we had the neighborhood children over for an afternoon of autumn activities, painting pumpkins and making ‘Halloween’ cookies that looked like spiders and eyeballs. Oohh, scary! Fun, tasty! Hayrides, bonfires and s’mores are also included as well as those frightening places called haunted houses. For these, I never enjoyed. However, I do remember enjoying baking a ‘pumpkin shaped’ cake for my baby boys first birthday! What energy I had in those days!
The sounds from my youth continue, however it is during my children’s youth. Their high school ball games and their being a part of winning the boy’s first State Championship for their school, Spain Park. Then there was Hoover High’s ‘Two A Days’ on MTV bringing national attention to Hoover, Alabama. Now I have a son at Hoover High and two sons in college, both seniors in college.
One son attending school in Asheville, NC were autumn is spectacular and days are spent between studies and tennis training. Weekends and weekdays are also filled with tennis tournaments. One weekend leading his team to victory and went undefeated himself. Awesome!
The other attends the University of Alabama during a wonderful football comeback time. St. Nick has come to T-town and led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 2009! My son and his best friend were able to cheer Bama on to victory in Pasadena, CA. What great fall college memories being made for both boys!
I am enjoying autumn in multiple ways; fond memories mixed with wonderful moments of the present and enjoying my children enjoying their autumns. Life is good. :)
It seems that many people, once they get to know me, call me Pagie-pooh. (oh, by the way, my name is Paige). I’ve often wondered why that is…? Do I remind people of the Winnie-the-Pooh character in some way; or does ‘Pooh’ just naturally, easily follow the name Paige? Either way it has never been of great concern to me. Personally, I like Pooh Bear and think I may have some of his tendencies. Probably, I exhibit other traits from the various friends of Pooh Bear also. Maybe you do too!
What comes to my imagination when thinking of Pooh is a cuddly Pooh Bear. One to snuggle with around a warming fire and chat with while having something sweet to eat… hot chocolate, s’mores or, of course, honey. When ‘talking’ with Pooh, he may have these odd moments of brilliant thoughts, however they are not always useful at the time. It’s more of a stumbling upon some thought or idea than a clearly thought out plan. Never in a rush, Pooh isn’t ruled by time or the tyranny of the urgent. I like that about him. In many ways, I would like to be more like Pooh Bear.
Then, there is Rabbit. There is always a schedule to be maintained, things to do and no time to waste. All business. Usually he is attending his garden, sweeping, organizing his household. He enjoys being in charge and telling others what to do and how to do it. Without Rabbit, how would the world exist, because he is busy spinning it!? Know someone like that?
Ah… the fun loving Tigger! Bouncing, running and skipping his way through life, he is the eternal optimist. He is always sure to overcome any obsticle, great or small. Tigger is super social. He is always aware of who is doing what and always there to cheer up his friends and make people laugh. Tigger either brightens your day or he maybe driving you absolutely up the wall with his hyperactivity. It depends upon the given day you are having, I think.
But woe is Eeyore. Everything is viewed as thought it is wrong. Nothing ever goes right for him. (Quite the opposite of Tigger) A true pessimist, perhaps an artist at heart. His type of person would be writing poetry and a lover of the rainy days. Even though Tigger is a friend, it may be a slight superfical. Whereas, Eeyore would be constant. He brings logic and balance to the world around him. Time spent alone is no problem for him, he is completely content.
Where do you find yourself among these friends? (I am aware that I did not mention all of Pooh’s friends; Piglet, Kanga and Roo and Owl.) But so many of us are a mixture of these personalities. I just find it interesting, especially since I love many of the Pooh stories. Tell me your favorite story or who you think you are like.
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