My insides are still shaking. I was actually really calm after I hung up the phone. The school's PE teacher called from the top of Magic to let me know Justin had been in an accident on the ski trip.
Justin was living for this ski trip. I bought his treats for it days ago. He checked the weather 20 times a day hoping for powder on this day. I don't think there is another kid who loves to ski so much. Really. I don't. This kid lamenates ski resort maps and clips them to his coat. He reads ski resort regulations. He checks out the bottom of cliff jumps IN THE SUMMER to see if there are any rocks or other hazards that might hinder him from making the jump safely. Justin was living for this trip.
They told me he had been taken by ambulance. The ski patrol thought he had a broken femur. The paramedics came and thought it could be a broken hip. I got done freaking about Justin and asked about the other kid. He had been life flighted. Oh boy.
I had just finished riding my bike downstairs and hadn't taken a shower. Do I leave right now? How long would it take the ambulance to get to the hospital. If we were looking at a serious break I could be at the hospital for a few days. I took a shower. I beat the ambulance by 15 min. Darren was north of Fairfield kite skiing. I knew he wouldn't be checking his phone. He is NEVER in town when one of the kids or I are at the hospital. I called his cell and left a message. Then knowing one missed call from me wouldn't signal an emergency I continued to press redial while I dried my hair. If he saw 6 missed calls from me he would call me as soon as he saw it.
I called Melanie and got another friend's (an orthopedic surgeon) cell number. He has been our "go to" guy often. He didn't answer so Mel got his wife, then I got a text that he was on his way. Seconds later he walked into the ER. We were still in the hall, no rooms available. I am so thankful for his help and support. He checked him, then made sure they took the proper x-rays, in the right positions. Best part, he talked me through everything, and we got quick attention - everyone thought it was his kid! It's all about who you know I tell you.
No breaks. Deep bruise. Crutches for a few days. Concussion likely. Lucky. Blessed. Hairline fractures can show up a week later. Watch for this. Watch for that. Thank you. Thank you.
Justin is as white as the snow he tumbled upon. But excited about all the phone calls, even homemade cookies from his buddy the basketball star. Then the vomiting. Sweet Brady runs for the bowl, and makes it in time, races up the stairs for a much needed second bowl. Makes it in time again. 11 year old, torn up out of concern brother carries FULL bowls upstairs and empties and rinses them. I couldn't have done that without throwing up myself until I was a mother. Could you?
The other kid, twice Justin's size, has facial fractures. Luckily they are the kind that will heal on their own, and quickly. Lucky. Witnesses say Justin turned to avoid a snowboarder that turned into his path, was coming to a stop when this boy, who had been skiing with Justin, plowed into him. Bodies tumbled, bodies lay still. People freaked. Justin was confused, thinking it was last Friday when he was skipping school to ski, then felt the Snickers bar in his pocket and remembered I had bought it for this trip, then remembered where he was. People say he was acting pretty goofy, confused. Pain.
Accidents happen. I know, believe me, I know. I'm not sure I can withstand the love I have for my children. Sing it with me now, love hurts. In so many different ways. Brady brought to my attention how lucky 2010 has been so far. Because look at Justin, he could be so much worse. Glass half full. Thank you Brady. Later, before bed he broke down saying he's afraid that one day he's going to be picked up from school and find out that one of us has died. The fragility of life is felt here. It's all going to be fine, but I'm still shaking.
