Fireworks
Most weeks fly by. We have our routine and things just happen. I like to plan weekend trips out in full and know exactly what is happening when.
But, when my husband is worried about his grandmother, we go to Kentucky on a whim.
That is exactly what happened last Thursday. We received word that Joe's grandmother had a fall and broke her knee cap and was simply downtrodden. (I just used downtrodden in a sentence...hope I used it correctly).
So away we went!
We chose to stay at a KOA nearby so that we were not in anyone's way with our last minute visit. It also gave the girls a mini vacation, as well. We stayed in a primitive cabin, swam in the pool, hiked the nature trails and enjoyed being together. For a few moments, time slowed down.
At Joe's family's house we relaxed, played with cousins and simply enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was July 2nd and Joe's uncle Keith bought fireworks. The entire neighborhood gathered to see the show. Problem was, Keith did not let us know he was about to light the first roman candle and when it went off it toppled over and began firing rounds down the street... right past us all. As everyone began to run and duck for cover, a fear washed over me, "where is Clara?". I couldn't see her. She had been just outside the fence line a minute prior... just in line of the fireworks that were still shooting in that very direction. When I spotted her, Clara was bee lining across the road, straight towards me. The look of sheer terror in her eyes told me all I needed to know. She had been much too close to the wayward fireworks than any mother would choose to allow. Turns out she was mere feet from the shooting fireworks and they missed her by the grace of God alone, each one terrifying her a bit more than the previous.
Needless to say, Clara and I did not stay outside for the rest of the firework display. It took her a good while to stop shaking in fear. I used to love fireworks, but now knowing Clara has been traumatized by them, I like them much less. Fireworks may be something she and I watch on tv for years to come.
---- update
One year after the fireworks incident, we went to a party at our friends' house. There would be fireworks and we knew it. We explained to Clara that when the fireworks were about to begin, we could go inside.
When they started, she was in the pool. She tried to be brave. Her sister swam over to her and gently spoke words of encouragement. "I am right here. .. the fireworks are far away... you will be ok". Clara tried, but she was getting anxious and decided to retreat to the house. As she and I began to watch the fireworks from behind the safety of the window panes, her sister came in. She said, "if Clara is going to watch from in here, I will too." And my mama heart was full.
But, when my husband is worried about his grandmother, we go to Kentucky on a whim.
That is exactly what happened last Thursday. We received word that Joe's grandmother had a fall and broke her knee cap and was simply downtrodden. (I just used downtrodden in a sentence...hope I used it correctly).
So away we went!
We chose to stay at a KOA nearby so that we were not in anyone's way with our last minute visit. It also gave the girls a mini vacation, as well. We stayed in a primitive cabin, swam in the pool, hiked the nature trails and enjoyed being together. For a few moments, time slowed down.
At Joe's family's house we relaxed, played with cousins and simply enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was July 2nd and Joe's uncle Keith bought fireworks. The entire neighborhood gathered to see the show. Problem was, Keith did not let us know he was about to light the first roman candle and when it went off it toppled over and began firing rounds down the street... right past us all. As everyone began to run and duck for cover, a fear washed over me, "where is Clara?". I couldn't see her. She had been just outside the fence line a minute prior... just in line of the fireworks that were still shooting in that very direction. When I spotted her, Clara was bee lining across the road, straight towards me. The look of sheer terror in her eyes told me all I needed to know. She had been much too close to the wayward fireworks than any mother would choose to allow. Turns out she was mere feet from the shooting fireworks and they missed her by the grace of God alone, each one terrifying her a bit more than the previous.
Needless to say, Clara and I did not stay outside for the rest of the firework display. It took her a good while to stop shaking in fear. I used to love fireworks, but now knowing Clara has been traumatized by them, I like them much less. Fireworks may be something she and I watch on tv for years to come.
---- update
One year after the fireworks incident, we went to a party at our friends' house. There would be fireworks and we knew it. We explained to Clara that when the fireworks were about to begin, we could go inside.
When they started, she was in the pool. She tried to be brave. Her sister swam over to her and gently spoke words of encouragement. "I am right here. .. the fireworks are far away... you will be ok". Clara tried, but she was getting anxious and decided to retreat to the house. As she and I began to watch the fireworks from behind the safety of the window panes, her sister came in. She said, "if Clara is going to watch from in here, I will too." And my mama heart was full.
Comments
Post a Comment