Keegan's New Art Smock

On most Fridays, I drop Keegan and Kennedy off at the YMCA for a 4-hour block while I run errands. Today when I dropped them off, there was a firetruck and ambulance in the parking lot picking up a YMCA member who was hurt. For the next few minutes, I played through the scenario in my mind of what would happen if that were one of my kids. It even got me a little teary-eyed just thinking about it. Yet, I knew my kids were safe inside.

I ran my errands for the next 4 hours. I signed Keegan up for preschool, went grocery shopping, and even returned to the YMCA early to read a book in the parking lot. When I arrived, another ambulance was parked outside. I thought it was odd that the Y had two accidents in the same day. Little did I know that the ambulance was there for Keegan. I sat and read my book for the next 20 minutes, wondering who would come out with the EMTs.

As I walked into the building to get the kids, my father-in-law was on his way out. I just figured he was there to exercise. I was oblivious to the fact that he was there as our emergency contact. He said, "Keegan is hurt." My heart SANK. I don't really remember much about getting from the front door to childwatch where Keegan was. It was a blur.

He was sitting in his grandma's lap with the EMTs around him. He was a bloody mess, but in good spirits by the time I got there. I knew I couldn't look scared, panicked, or fearful for Keegan's sake. I stood strong and said "Hi" as if this were a normal day. I told him that we needed to go to the doctor (ie: hospital). My body was shaking and I felt a little woozie from seeing so much blood on him.

I drove him to the ER while my in-laws took Kennedy for me. Nathan met me there. As I carried Keegan's bloody body into the ER, people actually gasped at his sight and covered their mouths. The ER workers still made us wait in line to fill out papers. Then we waited in the waiting room for an hour and a half (with Keegan still bleeding, but alert and happy so they said it was fine).

When we finally went back for the doctors, it was time for stitches. They wrapped him up like a mummy in sheets and restrained his whole body down to the bed. We stood by as they gave him a shot in his head (anesthesia) and then did his stitches. He screamed and pleaded for help. It tore my heart in half as I listened helplessly.

When all was said and done, I held him in my arms and was so relieved. It really wasn't that bad of a gash once all the blood was cleaned up. He is home and doing fine now.

Here he is at home after his nap (yes, that is a hospital gown that we stole-- won't it make a great art smock?). :)
I hear him giggling in the other room, playing with his daddy. I love the sound of that laugh and appreciate it even more on a day like this!