June 12th 2025

 

Finally getting our oldest on the phone. "Mom! Chill! A man faceplanted on the ground. Blood was everywhere. It was so bloody Mom. We helped him."

 She continues her hyper mode annoyed I called/texted 6x in one hour when no response was received from them. You know that parenting Mom thingy. 

Oldest: "Didn't she tell you? We're doing pictures near sunset." She remarked, annoyed.

Me/Mom: "Oh. Wow. Okay. And Thank you for being kind." 

That's what I was reduced to.

Hours later... Youngest explains now in my hotel room.

Me/Mom: "So, what happened?"

Youngest: "Mom, I thought he was like praying. He was laying facedown."

Me/Mom: "Oh. Did it just happen?"

Youngest: "People were passing by. But we didn't see the faceplant. As I approached, I realized he wasn't praying... you know like some religions do at certain times."

Me thinking... I guess that ten years in the morning of teaching the kids religions four mornings a week worked. Not for naughty to teach them about many religions. Yeah I grilled it in for 3-5 minutes four mornings per week before their school and my work.

Me/Mom: "So, how old was the man? Was he conscious?"

Youngest: " He was 80 years old and he said he was embarrassed. Mom it was so bloody bad. Sarah called 911. Don't worry I had gloves in my first aid kit..."

Me/Mom thinking... WTH? Who the hell prioritizes a first aid kit for a 3 day excursion for a nice event? Well, yeah Me. And hubby had usually always carried bandaids in his car. When I volunteered for AmeriCorps, I carried two first aid kits in my backpack. But that's different. As well in my car. But that's different. But the hec?

Youngest continues: "So, I had extra gloves, cleaned the wounds first with water, and then a boy stopped to help us. Don't worry I gave him a pair of gloves too. We cleaned up the man's face and hands. I had alcohol wipes and everything. And we stayed with him till the EMTs arrived."

Me/Mom: "So, he never lost consciousness with you guys?"

Youngest: "No. He was aware. He just said he was embarrassed."

Me/Mom: "Thank you for that. Wow."

I guess all my preaching kindness worked. That's when you realize, sadly, most people didn't check on the man, as she'd expressed that'd it seemed two to three minutes before they'd arrived to the scene. It was busy and many walked past him, even as they worked on the stairs that the man had faceplanted down on. They were on a college campus. This was not like some city street of unknown origin. ---Jody-Lynn Reicher