10 September 2013

Emotions Today: Panic, Desperation, Love, & Gratitude

If I were keeping a record book of highly emotional days, today would definitely be added to the book. I thought about waiting to write this so that I'd be less emotional, but sometimes it's the emotional that makes it worth writing at all.

On any given day, my office is just a short drive from our little boy's school. I take comfort in knowing, that if needed, I can be at his side in only a few minutes.

Today, however, was a little different. After dropping him at school, I wasn't going to the office - I was travelling approximately three hours away with a group of folks. I had already arranged for his aunt to pick him up after school because I knew I would be home a little later than usual. He loves when she picks him up and was excited about going with her. I walked out of his school this morning without worry, my mind shifting its focus onto the next part of my day - work.

I had put my phone in my purse and placed my bag in the floor by my seat. I was driving, so I wasn't giving any attention to my phone. I had checked it during our only stop to find absolutely nothing needing my attention.

A short while later, we pulled into our destination. Everyone else had already piled out of the vehicle and was waiting on me. As I was gathering my things, I happened to check my phone - not out of real concern that something may be there but merely out of habit. What I saw was enough to raise some alarm - I had five missed calls, two voicemails, and a text message. I am not ever THAT important. I immediately checked the missed call list and noticed little man's school was on the list. They had left a voicemail which I hastily listened to.

I am not one to say the words "oh my god" - I prefer "oh my lands," "oh my goodness," or "oh wow." We believe that to be taking the Lord's name in vain and have worked really hard to keep that from our vocabulary. That's important to note, because as I listened to the voicemail that was left by his teacher, the only words out of my mouth for the world and God to hear was "oh my God."

As I write this, I can tap into that exact feeling of panic that I experienced the moment I heard the words "he fell at school today, he needs medical attention, he needs to go to the ER." I am three hours away. My husband is working out of town today. My baby needs to go to the ER. How bad is it? What happened? I can't even get to him... I scrambled to call little man's aunt. I couldn't even find her contact - I was so out of sorts. I finally realized I know her number, just dial it.

Little man's grandmother answered the phone and immediate realization hit that they must have him. With complete desperation and some relief that he was in their care, I demanded to know how he was, what happened, and if I needed to put the key in the ignition and return home immediately.

They assured me that he was okay but would probably need stitches, and that I did not need to return home this very instant. More than likely it would all be over with by the time I could even think of arriving. I begged for them to keep me posted and said I would continue with our plans. I put my big girl panties on as best I could, and I walked into the building on wobbly legs and with my heart racing, all while making a phone call to my husband to say I would keep him updated.

I received updates throughout the afternoon, but not a lot had transpired. A lot of time was spent waiting. The work portion of our trip came to an end and it was time to return home. I had planned on driving home but knew that I just couldn't. I needed to make phone calls and send text messages - I needed to KNOW the details. I needed to know what was going on - I had to talk to someone. I am so thankful that one of the others that I was with did not mind driving. It gave me the opportunity to handle the emotions I had kept contained while we were working.

Throughout the drive, I'm given new details. His cut will require stitches and they will numb him to do it. The next update I receive is that he is fine and he'd like a happy meal. I feel some relief but I know true relief will not come until I actually see and hold my baby boy.

After returning to town, I grab my own vehicle and head for the grocery store. This tough, sweet little boy needs milk, cookies, suckers, sprite, and band aids. I hate that I have to make this stop, but at this point, I've already decided I'm spending the day with my boy tomorrow and it will be better to have these things now then having to go back for them later.

I cannot wait to walk in the door to see my child. I'm preparing for meltdown. He's been so tough, so strong, that when he sees me the charade will crumble, and he'll need nothing but me - my arms and my love.

I was wrong. I walked through the door, dropped the groceries, and he was all smiles - like today was just any other day. As if he hadn't just experienced some serious pain - numbing liquid, numbing shots, and being held down while seven stitches were sewed into his head. Aside from the gigantic band aid on his forehead, he was just my little man. I well up just thinking about the resilience of this little boy and children out there just like him and children going through much worse. And I am so, so thankful to God.

I sit here and think about how I physically couldn't get to him, his father couldn't get to him, but his grandmother and his aunt were there for him. They took the emotional roller coaster ride that I would have never asked them to take. But God asked them to, and they took it, and they rode it with grace and love and patience. I can't imagine dealing with the child in pain and the desperate parents too.

I am so incredibly thankful to them for being there, for loving us, and loving little man. I picture them helping the nurses hold little boy still so they could put in the stitches while he cried angrily - that is love. I imagine their panic as the school finally got ahold of someone and they rushed to his aid - that is love. I see them sitting there waiting patiently on the doctors and nurses but anxiously wondering what is taking so long - that is love. I see them getting ready for bed tonight, exhausted and overwhelmed but still offering themselves to us just in case we need anything - that is love.

Thanks be to God... and thank you to those two very special ladies. We love you. We are so very blessed.

Now, with tears subsided and emotions mostly in check... I imagine you're wondering what actually happened. My understanding is that he had fallen into a wall that was covered with a metal bulletin board. His head hit the corner of the board which put a fairly large gash in his forehead. As we cleaned up this evening, I also noticed a decent size knot and a little bruising and swelling. 

He sleeps soundly beside me now and I'm hoping for a restful night and a relaxing day tomorrow.

As always, thanks for reading.

Kate

September 10, 2013

14 Comments:

Shannon @ Everyday Mom-ents said...

: ( I can't imagine how hard that day was for you. Even though this has not happened to me I always fear that it will.. that I won't be able to be there for my kids if they get hurt. Families are the best and I know I am thankful for ours knowing they would be there in a heartbeat to help my kids out. Glad you have a good family support system!!

Glad your son is okay and that you are able to spend today with him! Enjoy your day together!

Ashley Dorey said...

So glad he is ok! I hope you guys are having agreat day together!

Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly said...

That must have been so scary! So glad little man is doing well. The being away and not able to help must have been bad, but then I wonder, would little man have fed off your panic? So glad he was all smiled when you got home ;-)

Lana said...

This is absolutely my worst nightmare, Kate. I was watching Ellen yesterday and the principals from Moore, Oklahoma were on there talking about when the tornado hit the elementary schools and I just started crying like a baby. The night before I dropped Grace off at Pre-K, all I could think about was Sandy Hook, and honestly, if it weren't for Jim talking to me so sweetly and calming me down, I might have kept her home with me forever and fashioned some sort of bubble for her to live in. People don't realize what a huge deal it is to leave our children in the care of others, even when it's "just" school. I am so happy it wasn't anything too serious and that you're little guy handled it like a trooper.

Linda said...

Oh, my! I had not heard this. Poor little fellow! Poor momma! Poor daddy! I teared up reading this. I felt your emotions. God is so good and He always provides. I am thankful you have good support and can always depend on them. Again, God provides. Give the little man a hug for me.

Shan said...

Wow! I can't imagine. That is one of my worst dreams, that I would not be able to be there immediately for my babies to. Sounds like you have a wonderful support group and family to help you out.
Dropping by from the blog hop, and glad I did!!

Megan said...

I'm so sorry! I'm glad he's OK. What a call to get. :(

Antionette Blake said...

The desperation and panic a mother has for a child is so hard to understand to those who have never had to experience it. Glad all is well and remember this too shall pass...my youngest is 17 and I panic every time he calls because we were in NY when he had a car accident....Hopped over from Bloggy Moms

Robin said...

I hope he is doing wonderfully and you've recovered. I also hope you haven't been fighting any guilt for not being there -- sometimes that happens to me. How blessed you are to have wonderful people who love you and him to help out.

I love the part when you say no matter what they've told you, you won't be okay until you can see he's okay with your own eyes and hold him in your arms. Amen! Oh, how true that is.

Thanks for sharing your story. Happy Sharefest.

mail4rosey said...

Aww, isn't that the way it goes that something happens when we're away?? I got a call last year that my son fell off the monkey bars and was hurt, I'm telling you it puts you in instant 'fear/worry/rush-to-get-to-them' mode!! Glad all is well and you're back with your little one.

Nancy said...

So glad he's ok! Can't imagine how you must have felt, that feeling of complete helplessness that you couldn't get to him must have been awful! So nice to know he was in good hands though.
God bless you mama!

Heidi's Wanderings said...

I'm glad to hear he's ok. And that must have been terrifying to hear. Hope you have a great day today.

Heidi’s Wanderings

April Grant said...

I'm so glad to hear he's ok. That must've been so scary. When having my second child, I moved closer to my job just so that I wouldn't have to be too far away. Stopping by from Raising Imperfection!

Stepping into Motherhood said...

Oh, no. As a working mom I can imagine the emotional rollercoaster. Even though bumps, bruises, even stitches and broken bones are normal childhood occurences, I know as a mother I would want to be there for my child. And in the end we're more upset about what happened and not being there than they actually are. Glad to hear he's okay.
Angela @ Time with A & N

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