We’d had a lovely afternoon at Treefest, riding the merry-go-round and helter skelter, sitting in a tent listening to stories of gypsies and kings, eating churros and chocolate sauce, exploring treehouses and generally running amok in the bank holiday sunshine. When it was time to head back to the car we did the usual you-can’t-catch-me game… and then it happened. He fell over, head first, onto the sharp gravel path. Oh my loves, there was so much blood. In a flash Abby scooped him up and we planted ourselves on the side of the road, searching for tissues and water, knowing it wasn’t going to be enough. Noah’s dad ran to get the first aiders, and it was amazing how many other mums stopped and offered us tissues and wipes — one lady sat down and unpacked an entire first aid kit from her bag. Mums, women, people are so good. Help arrived in the form of two ex-army medics, a husband and wife team who were absolutely brilliant. Noah let the woman — I think her name was Jane, it was all a bit fraught — clean up his face and we could see there was a cut on his forehead, he’d taken the skin off above his lip and grazed his cheek. HE WAS SO BRAVE. Crying, distraught and scared, but so so brave, our little man. He even swallowed down a spoonful of Calpol without any complaint, which definitely helped to ease his head.
And while all this was happening, I sat like a rock beside my sister, helping where I could, but staying calm. We all react to scary stuff in different ways — apparently I get really zen. After a moment of sheer panic when i saw Noah’s bloody face, I went straight into keep-everyone-calm mode. Once he was all patched up Noah stepped out of his mummy’s arms and came to me. I picked him up and gave him lots of cuddles, showing him the ambulance (the “nee-nah”) while Abby talked to Jane and let herself feel what had happened. As we walked back to the car Noah wanted me to keep carrying him, and though his mummy just wanted him back in her arms, we agreed later that it was a definite sign that he was okay. Usually when really bad stuff happens he just wants his mummy, so wanting me meant things were normalising.
Back at home we tucked him up on the sofa with a DVD and offered biscuits and chocolate but Noah wanted an apple and some juice :) The next day we stayed at home, but he was jumping off the sofa in no time, fearless as ever. His face is scabby, and, of course, he’s constantly picking at it, but he seems absolutely fine. His mummy, daddy and auntie, on the other hand, are still processing it all!
Our brave boy.
I love the LOVE that is in this post and pics! Was right there with you. Strangers united briefly across the interwebs by a beautiful story :) Noah is fortunate indeed to be so loved.
I think auntie and mammie and daddie deserve a lolly too for their bravery (and all the love).
Sweet boy : ) You’ll still be feeling faint when you tell this story in 20 years : ) I do the Zen In A Panic thing too. I am grateful for that. xx
Love and hugs to all of you!
you were all very brave!
and yes, usually strangers help with empathy and this is great!
Don’t you just love how women ‘rally’. It can be scary to see someone you love get hurt but so glad there were others there to help. Hopefully you’ll all recover from the trauma. Gentle hugs. xox
What a brave boy (and family)! I’m so glad he recovered quickly.
Oh! That sweet little face! I know it was hard to witness that incident, it always is when precious little ones are involved. I’m glad he is on the mend and back to being filled with his childlike spirit!
ohhhhh ALWAYS so scary. Love knowing you drop into zen calm– that is very cool. most people do not. hope it all heals up okay on that gorgeous mug of his .. . xoox
Brave boy, for sure.
AH! there are some gravel path we walk through in our lives that are more dangerous than others…
Oh poor little man, and poor the rest of you as well, it’s horrible when they are hurt. Hope it is all better very soon.
glad he’s okay – hope it heals up quickly :)
OUCH. My cousin’s little girl broke her arm this week in a trampoline incident – and first thing she did when they got home from the hospital was bounce on the bed! I think these things are always much scarier for the adults!
Your essay is beautiful. How blessed your nephew is to have such a loving auntie. I vividly remember the first real bloody scene with my own son when he ran downhill on his little 18 month old legs down our exposed aggregate driveway and did a face plant. His horrified dad scooped up our screaming, bloody baby and rushed him in to mama . . . head wounds bleed profusely and me and my boy are ‘excessive bleeders’ so he looked quite frightening but just surface, no stitches required . . . he’s 17 years-old now and has survived a broken collarbone, split chin, etc. I still have the same heart-stopping response . . . I suppose I always will . . .
BTW, I LOVE the sawdust ‘christening’!!
I built a house (with my ex) in 1989 (completed in 1993). It was a fabulous experience and a stunning home . . . celebrations along the way are lovely and required ; )