Have you ever had a near miss? One of those situations in life where you are just happy to have made it through. I have read stories about people going to war and making it home, not understanding why they made it and the person next to them did not. Rachel told me a story about pulling into a gas station to get gas and as she stepped out of her car, she realized there was a gun fight happening and she was right in the middle of it. So many possible outcomes in a situation like this, and yet she was able to drive away unharmed. Not all circumstances turn out in a favorable way, but if we are here to talk about it, then those near misses have had a positive outcome.
As most of you know, I just turned 65 years old. That is a lot of years to have experienced these so called, “near misses”. At the end of every “near miss” that I have encountered, I have given a sigh of relief and was grateful to have made it through. Last night I cooked dinner and invited my mother over to enjoy the evening with us. Maegen and her family were down for a 7 on 7 football tournament with the boys and they joined us. It was a good time. As we were talking, which is what adults do, my mother tells the following story:
The Rigby family (her siblings and parents) had met at my grandparents house in Hibbard, Idaho. I am not sure of the occasion, but I believe it would have taken place during the summer months. I was young, maybe two or three (around Milo’s age). Just knowing my nature, that of being curious and always wanting to check things out, this story makes sense. The adults were in the house doing what adults do, chatting and gossiping about whatever would come up. The cousins were out in the yard, enjoying the sun and fresh air in the county. Along the edge of my grandpa’s yard, there was a small ditch that he used to water his lawn and garden areas around the house. As you all know, ditches are always full of excitement and curiosity for the young. I remember growing up in our yellow brick home in Iona, Idaho and across the street there was a good size ditch and it always seemed to be full of water. We spent many hours playing in that water, creating boats, catching water skippers and even one time seeing and chasing a fish.
My mother continued with the story: as she sat there with her siblings, she started getting an uneasy feeling about where I was. She walked to the door and yelled my name. No response. She then proceeded to walk around the yard asking if anyone had seen me and the response was always “no”. So, she walked to edge of the yard and looking down into the ditch, she saw me, laying there face up, with water running over my face, not moving.
The next words from her mouth were the loudest scream she has ever made, “Dick, get out here”. Dad came running from the house. He looked into the ditch and saw me, immediately jumping in and pulling that tiny body from the water. She said at that time I was not moving. Dad, slapped my back a few times, I am not sure of all he did, but within a minute, I was breathing and moving again.
I thank God that my mother was able to feel and listen to that internal voice that prompted her to go out looking for her son. I am grateful, that my dad was directed in what to do when pulling me from that ditch. We all get these internal promptings that guide us in our lives. Let’s be open to them and not doubt that they are there to help us. If we can learn to listen to what we feel and then act, I believe that we can take these near misses and make them learning experiences/stories that we can pass on to our children and grandchildren.
I look back on my life and realize that it could have been a life that didn’t happen. Even with the pain I have experience, there has been a lot more joy to fill my life over the past 65 years and what a shame to have missed any of it. Thank you Mom and Dad for caring and loving me, and making this life happen.
I have never heard this story. I’m thankful that mom followed the feeling and went looking for you and that dad was led to know what tho do. I’m glad I was able to have you on earth as my big brother, well most of the time. There were some times when you held me down to tickle me or when you use your knuckle and thump my chest. That was a small part. I loved watching you play sports, study, and just be you. I remember going out to play ball with you. I would catch the ball when you practiced your pitching. A couple of times I let the ball go by and you would say, don’t be afraid of the ball. Sometimes I thought those balls were coming at me very very fast, but I learned not to be afraid of the ball. I would also be the center to hike the football then run down to catch it. A few times I would bend over to hike the ball and you would come up and knock me on my head. Yes, I love you, big brother. And happy birthday.
Wow, I also do not ever remember hearing of that story. I can not image what life would have been like without you. Although we did have our fights, you know, like the old west with guns and all, we still loved each other.
Especially as we aged, you have been a great sounding board. We may not always see things the same way, but I love visiting. Thanks mom and dad for saving my big brother.