The inner klutz in me often surfaces near knives, as was reinforced in last month's mishap with frozen hamburgers and the knife I was using to separate them. Oops, I separated the tip of my finger instead. Yuck!
I've also been known to injure myself around water. The most serious time was when I was about Adam's age. I was showing off for my parents doing crazy stunts off our diving board of our in-ground pool. Carelessly, I hit the side of the pool upon impact, knocking myself unconscious. All I remember is vomiting profusely into a towel in my mom's lap as my dad drove us to the hospital. I remember x-rays and still vomiting uncontrollably. Fortunately, I suffered no lasting effects from that other than staying away from diving boards ever since. I don't even enjoy watching the Olympic diving because I think I traumatized myself for life. I sure hope my kids decide to be on the swim team, not the diving team. I think it would send me to an early grave.
More recently, I remember a time when I was in the shower and slipped. Elise was a baby at the time and I was the typical sleep-deprived Mom. She was napping and Adam was quietly playing downstairs. Fortunately, despite my lack of coordination, I caught myself and prevented serious injury. What I remember, though, is the fear that gripped me. What if I had been seriously injured, would 4 year old Adam know what to do? It was time to ask him.
Presenting various scenarios Adam did know the right answer. "If you are ever sleeping and I can't wake you up, or if you have hurt yourself and can't get to a phone, I am supposed to call 9-1-1." Good. As parents we had trained him properly. But the Holy Spirit was tugging at me. Yes, he has head knowledge, but I want him to actually DO it. Have him use the phone. Being obedient, I handed Adam the phone. "Show me."
Adam looked at the hand set and pointed to the numbers....but then said "How do I turn it on?". Huge light bulb, fellow moms and dads. In theory Adam knew how to do it but putting it into practice, a whole different thing. I learned my lesson that day and I am grateful that it came without a price.
I've also been known to injure myself around water. The most serious time was when I was about Adam's age. I was showing off for my parents doing crazy stunts off our diving board of our in-ground pool. Carelessly, I hit the side of the pool upon impact, knocking myself unconscious. All I remember is vomiting profusely into a towel in my mom's lap as my dad drove us to the hospital. I remember x-rays and still vomiting uncontrollably. Fortunately, I suffered no lasting effects from that other than staying away from diving boards ever since. I don't even enjoy watching the Olympic diving because I think I traumatized myself for life. I sure hope my kids decide to be on the swim team, not the diving team. I think it would send me to an early grave.
More recently, I remember a time when I was in the shower and slipped. Elise was a baby at the time and I was the typical sleep-deprived Mom. She was napping and Adam was quietly playing downstairs. Fortunately, despite my lack of coordination, I caught myself and prevented serious injury. What I remember, though, is the fear that gripped me. What if I had been seriously injured, would 4 year old Adam know what to do? It was time to ask him.
Presenting various scenarios Adam did know the right answer. "If you are ever sleeping and I can't wake you up, or if you have hurt yourself and can't get to a phone, I am supposed to call 9-1-1." Good. As parents we had trained him properly. But the Holy Spirit was tugging at me. Yes, he has head knowledge, but I want him to actually DO it. Have him use the phone. Being obedient, I handed Adam the phone. "Show me."
Adam looked at the hand set and pointed to the numbers....but then said "How do I turn it on?". Huge light bulb, fellow moms and dads. In theory Adam knew how to do it but putting it into practice, a whole different thing. I learned my lesson that day and I am grateful that it came without a price.
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