May 30, 2009 9:31 PM
Just another Saturday - is it ever?
It was a typical Saturday only because what's typical about my Saturdays is that there's nothing typical about them at all. It just depends on getting up, being a mommy and going along for the ride.
First order of business: drive Maddy to meet her bluegrass band at the Purcellville Farmers' Market.After dropping her off, I spontaneously decided to check out the Restore that just opened in Purcellville (Restore is a Habitat for Humanity baby which accepts donations and sells things cheap - I don't know if ours is typical, but it has lots of leftover construction supplies, used office furniture, and odds and ends from bicycles to barbecues.
This was my third visit, but the first time I found something we needed: three white resin adjustable chaises - with wheels, even. They were filthy beyond belief. But they were only $5. each, probably 4% of their original cost. Feeling a lot like Meredith of Like Merchant Ships, I snatched them up immediately - adding to their benefits that my boys would have a wonderful time cleaning them up. No, I mean it!! kids love to do this kind of stuff - see Kids at Work.
Then I went to the grocery store to get tofu and papayas for our Morning Smoothies - which I swear have kept my kids family almost illness-free since October. Everywhere I went today, people seemed so HAPPY! I think it's because we've had five days of rain here and - though I love the rain enormously - we were all so thrilled with a perfect summer day. I'm blessed to live in the kind of place where people talk to each other about the size of the ears of corn and how to pick out a good watermelon. And I ran into a couple people I knew and also had a few I didn't know say "Hey! Happy Birthday! I loved your column this week!"
Ended up realizing I hadn't been keeping enough fresh produce in the house and a couple hundred dollars later emerged with a grocery cart full of stuff only to be confronted with the fact that the old Cherokee Jeep (the kids' car now home from college) was stuffed with the chaises which were taking up so much space that we hadn't even been able to close the back and it was tied with a rope.
So I tucked the groceries here and there, hoping they wouldn't fly out on my way home. Then headed to Blockbuster for a couple movies to watch with the kids. Picking out movies at Blockbuster is like wading through a cesspool to get a drink of water.
Seriously. I am so insulted by so many of the movies and by knowing that people within even a few miles of where I live may conceivably actually check these movies out and watch them. Yuck!
By this time, a couple hours have elapsed since I dropped off Maddy, so I try to call her before I start home to see if she is finished. No answer.
I drive 20 minutes back home - just the other day I was talking to some neighbors about what it's like to live in the country vs. having a grocery store, Borders, etc within 5 minutes of your house. I love it, but it does get tiresome driving back and forth. And with gas an issue, we are careful to make every trip count.
Get home. Sophia, who I called from the grocery store and asked to clean the refrigerators, is ready and waiting and starts putting away the food and getting lunch ready, I check my email and grab my camera to come out and take a picture of the filthy chaises - because without a picture you WOULD NOT HAVE BELIEVED just how bad they were. But alas! and thank you, Jesus! Matt has already washed them and they look like new.
Tripp had left early this morning for the Republican convention in Richmond (3 hours southeast of us). I was supposed to go too, but begged off at the last minute because I really hate crowds and felt like I was just getting to the point were my life was almost back together again after all my family's May drama. He had left looking like a white, middle-aged male GOP delegate with a straw hat and American flag tie - kinda like my former radical feminist worst nightmare. We both laughed. I love that guy.
Just as I was making a plate of the food Sophia had put out for lunch, the phone rang. It was Maddy and she needed a ride home - which meant another 50 minutes gone. . Did you ever know that motherhood would be so full of swallowing annoyance? Because, really, when you think about it - what's the use of giving into your frustration?
On the way home we stopped at a country yard sale and spent $3. It was late - they said we'd missed all the good stuff. Oh well, the roads were beautiful.
Got home, checked my comments/email and got ready to take the kids swimming (the house we re renting has a pool - thank you God!), but just as we were headed out the door the phone rang. It was Zach.
Zach had not been part of my Saturday story because he had gotten up early to ride his new motorcycle - which he just bought yesterday after completing a three-day motorcycle course, negotiating a deal, getting his gear and buying insurance. Like I said, today was the first sun-shiny day we've had in a while and everyone was in a celebratory mood. Zach celebrated by going out to get familiar with his bbike.
I remember around 2:00 thinking he'd been gone a long time and worrying a little. But worrying isn't generally my style - especially since there are so many demands on my attention.
But at 4:12 when Maddy answered the phone, he said - very calmly - he'd crashed his bike and an ambulance was on its way. He was at the top of Clayton Hall Road at Route 7, which is about 7 minutes from us. I grabbed my purse and keys and Matt and we rode up there as fast as we could. He was being put into the ambulance when I got there. at this narrow little curvy road there was the ambulance, the firetruck, two police cars and a lot of cars being directed around the bottleneck. While we don't normally have this many cars come through our teeny town Bluemont, it was a sunny day . . . . . . and everyone was out doing something, including probably touring the winery near us.
Zach had gotten himself some amazing protective gear, so there wasn't a scratch on him, but there was definitely something wrong with his right foot. When the EMTs zipped off his boot, the siht of the odd angles oaf his ankle almost made me faint. I know I cried out loud, then felt terrible because I'm supposed to be calm.
I sat in the front of the ambulance on the way to the hospital, wanting desperately to be in the back with Zach. At the hospital they herded me into the room to register until I finally very emphatically said I'd had enough and was going back to see my son.
There followed two hours of medical treatment interspersed with a gazillion phone calls from family members - Tripp on his way home from Richmond, Josh and Samantha (big brother and big sister) calling to see what happened. They both live in Berryville and Zach had stopped to see them during his ride-about. Matt and Josh trying to figure out what to do about the motorcycle so we wouldn't have to pay towing - it was finally driven home by a kindly Harley rider who happened by, Sophia and Maddy worried about their big brother.
The first x-rays revealed what I already knew - the ankle was displaced - a good 2 or 3 inches to the side. It would need to be "reduced" - the medical tern for having one person pull on the leg and another on the foot while trying to manipulate the bones back into place. Ouch. I mean, even the sedation they gave him could never be enough to deal with that kind of pain.
The second x-rays showed several fractures and Zach will have to see an orthopedist Monday because he needs surgery. I can hardly believe that I had to load up yet another Curtis on crutches and bring them home.
Oh, but first we had the terrible ordeal of trying to find an open pharmacy at 7:30 on Saturday night in western Loudoun county. There are none. So we had to drive 40 minutes farther from home, then drive home for over an hour. In other words, we left the hospital at 7:30 and got home at 9:30. It feel so terrible driving around like that with someone who is in pain.
But we are home now. Everyone except me is watching a Samurai movie. I just can't concentrate. I feel like there's not a lot left of me at all tonight.
Please pray for Zachary. He had some big plans for the summer. And is asupposed to go into Marine OCS in October. We are really hoping that he will get healed soon enough to not get too out of shape. His fitness is an issue. And I know he must be terribly disappointed.
Oh, the funny thing was that as Zach was being wheeled into x-ray, he said, "Mom, just promise me you won't blog about this." And I said, "I already did!" which I hadn't of course.
But I explained I had to tell you this because we are moms who are all learning and trying constantly to become better moms. I want you to know that it is essential that we let our sons go and not let our fears govern them. They are made of different stuff than we are. I let Zachary know before the fact that I did like the idea of his buying a motorcycle. But while he listened respectfully, he made a manly decision and bought one anyway - in the meanwhile going about it in the most intelligent and safest manner possible. I have to respect that. We women can be very bossy and I mean it when I say that sometimes you just have to let go.
I vowed all the way to the hospital that I would not say "I told you so." Zach's noble character didn't need crushing anymore. Not only was he in pain, but I'm sure he was beating himself up too. He will have some weeks to work through whatever lessons God has in store for him. Tripp and I are just breathing sigh of gratitude that there was no car behind him when he took the turn that brought him down - after a successful day of riding and finally so close to home.
Now we're praying to learn whatever we can from this newest wrinkle in the life of the Curtis Family. I'll keep you posted, for sure.
Posted in Family, My life | Permalink
Comments
Our family went through this. The motorcycle was never ridden again and got sold. (Thank God for no permanent injury or death.) I was told in the hospital x-ray dept. they're called donormobiles.
Posted by: Julana | May 31, 2009 7:17 AM
I'll be praying. What a day! You wrote about it so well, I feel like taking 2 aspirin and going back to bed! Happy feast of Pentecost!
Posted by: MaryF | May 31, 2009 7:21 AM
I'm so sorry to hear of Zach's injury. I'll be praying for him.
Posted by: Lauren | May 31, 2009 9:57 AM
From the highs to the lows. The hills and valleys are relentless until we are safely home with God.
So glad he didn't have a collision with a vehicle. I praise God for that. I believe this is well within the realm of God's sovereign work in Zach's life. What a wonderful son I've seen him to be through reading your family stories.
You are blessed.
I'm praying for Zach's recovery and also for the direction in which the Lord may have him go.
Posted by: Cynthia | May 31, 2009 10:40 AM
Thanks for sharing momma! And you still have all the peculiar sense of humor about you, even after a full day of family adventures.
Let us not forget that everything happens for a reason. And whatever comes out of this experience is what it was meant to be.
I'm glad to hear everyone is safe and sound.....including Mister GOP delegate with the straw hat.
Hey! My hubby might need to go to DC for some training and he wants me to come. If that happens I'll let you know so we can spend some time together. And...he vowed to take me back to Harpers Ferry, so it would be great if we can have you with us for that too. I love that little town.
Well, I hope today is as exciting as always.
Posted by: LadyLovas | May 31, 2009 11:45 AM
Barbara, thank you soooo much for sharing your day. The majority of my last week was like your Saturday. At one point, I got stressed and quite frustrated--I wasn't in control! And then I had to acknowledge who is in control and thank Him for it all.
I really appreciate your sharing of emotions and how you dealt with you feelings concerning Zach and his accident. (And yes, Zach, she should blog about this; some of us are still learning how to handle and deal with these things and we NEED to hear from Godly experience.) So thankful that it was only his ankle!
Last week when one of my children did something stupid (yes--it was just stupid, but I didn't fuss) that has kept her out of team practice for a bit (thus, affecting her performance), I couldn't help but wonder if the turn of events was in fact God's protection. I just wonder if it's best that she's not there, participating, and maybe even not competing. We'll see as the healing progresses.....
Thrilled to hear that Tripp is well enough to do a major grilling event (for Ben's wedding) and to travel by himself for an event as big as a state GOP convention.
Since the Curtis's are taking turns on crutches, when Zach is done, just place them on a hook in a prominent area of the house so they will be ready for the next one to use.... You can call it "being the prepared Mother". Maybe all of you can have a good laugh about your adventures in life.
Posted by: von | May 31, 2009 1:10 PM
Please thank Zach for allowing you to share this story. We moms of boys do need to hear this. Letting go is a hard lesson for any mom, but I especially struggle with it. And with my fourth boy on the way, it's one I must learn!
Praying for Zach and for all of you!
Posted by: Shannon Miller | May 31, 2009 2:16 PM
Oh, Barbara. Can I ever empathize with you!! You might remember that my son had a bicycle accident a couple of weeks ago and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. I do believe in the power of prayer. I had been praying the rosary everyday for my children and when I got to the park and found out that his injuries weren't life-threatening, I had the strong sense that it was due to the power of the Rosary.
I am so glad that your son's injuries weren't too severe. Please tell your son that we do appreciate you sharing your stories with us. It helps us to grow and to not feel all alone.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | May 31, 2009 3:19 PM
Praising God that Zach was not more seriously injured!
I am sorry that he has already experienced an accident, but I am glad that he intends to learn from this experience instead of brushing it off.
Praying for you & your family as you handle the range of emotions that come with such an accident. Praying also that Zach's healing is complete and quick.
Posted by: j dan | May 31, 2009 7:55 PM
Shannon - Fourth boy?? I must have missed the memo. So happy for you! My oldest set of 4 boys are now 21-25 and still love each others' company more than anyone else. Many happy memories of their boy-times together. And it was really having so many so close together that forced me to re-examine my tendency to corral them and keep them safe. As grown-up men, they've thanked me for letting them be boys.
Posted by: Barbara | June 1, 2009 7:37 AM
Im so glad Zach is safe! My husband wanted a motorcycle and I kind of said NO in a big way. Maybe I need to let go of that... I don't think he suffers much from lack of a motorcycle though- hunting animals alone in the woods in bear country is his way of conquering fears and growing in experience and responsibility:). You are very blessed to have such a responsible and thoughtful son! Thank goodness his injury was minor (as far as bike accidents can go...) and I'll pray for his speedy recovery.
An aside, you mentioned wading in the Blockbuster cess-pool. I agree with you wholeheartedly about the dishearteningly low quality of movies out now... it was enough for my hubby and I to do Netflix. It's actually cheaper too- we're on the one-movie-at-a-time plan for $9 a month, we can pick from ANY movie we want (they have a much better selection of classic movies than the local Blockbuster) and we're able to get via mail about 2 movies a week. We average maybe 6-8 movies a month, which at $5 a pop in Blockbuster would come out to $30-40 a month in movie viewing, but we just pay $9!! A good way to save money, time and aggravation. Worth looking into:).
Posted by: Sarah | June 1, 2009 10:58 AM
