It was inevitable

When one's approach to life is so reckless, I mean, carefree, there are certain repercussions that are inevitable.

I do expect that a good portion of our family life will be spent in emergency rooms. This mishap was the result of a quick stop at friends to deliver a goodwill meal. Unfortunately, while Mommy was on a mission of mercy, oldest son was on a mission of destruction. As with most accidents, it happened in the blink of an eye. Jacob climbed up to the family's rope swing and successfully navigated a few arcs through the air. Sensing danger, his mother sternly ordered him off the apparatus only to be encountered by the selective hearing mode. However, sudden deafness was his undoing and his hands slipped off the just-one-more-time swing and he came somersaulting and crashing to the ground. He struggled to his feet with tears and a right arm resting in a left hand. He was trying desperately to keep the tears in check as the other family was quickly gathering; his bravado showed up just in time. In fact, he was so brave that we thought perhaps, just perhaps, his arm might not be broken.

But, then I saw it; and now I know why sometimes a broken bone is undeniable - it just looks broken, kind of weird and sort of not right. We were 20 minutes from the hospital so we booted it back to the Bay, dropped Dad and the rest of the lot back at home, grabbed the trusty sleepy blanket and headed to the hospital. Luckily the break was such that a trip to the city was not necessary and the doctor was able to set it and cast it at our local unit. Thank God.

I was really quite in awe of Jacob's spirit throughout the whole ordeal as he continued to engage the x-ray tech and various nurses in somewhat stimulating conversation. I was also able to enjoy my alone time with Jacob and ask him what he would like to be when he grows up. He provided me with a list and I asked for the reasons behind each answer. For your enjoyment, here's the list. Oh, and one more thing, he's a little embarrassed about his latest debacle and continually asked the hospital personnel not to spread the news. The doctor replied that his cast would do the talking and Jacob covered his eyes in mortification. In fact, at mass yesterday when he approached the priest for his blessing at Communion, he attempted to cross his chest with just one arm to indicate that he is too young to receive the Host. The priest looked slightly confused and Jacob reluctantly swung the cast into position, received his blessing and quickly retreated to his pew. And, lest you think that his cast has somehow bridled his spirit, think again: we caught him last night scaling our 7-foot fence and throwing himself over into the yard in an attempt to get home before his sister. Cast and all. I am putting in a petition today for a second guardian angel. Oh, yes, here's the list.

1. Priest: In order to serve God.

2. Grocery Store owner: To be rich and give money to the poor (and, maybe, free groceries to Mommy???).

3. Ambulance driver: To bring people to the hospital.

And, last but not least,

4. Ice cream maker: "Well," with a glint in his eye, "Giggle, giggle." (Glad to see your still just a little boy.)

And, one more thing, he knows about this post but, please, don't spread the news...