Day eighty three of Project 365 found me pulling off the side of the road to photograph something for another photo project when I saw two Sand Pipers. As I sat in the parking lot with the window lowered down enough to photograph; I was thankful to have a decent subject. When I finished with them; I got out to photograph the other super secret thing. It wasn't long before my phone rang with an unrecognized number. It went to my voice mail when I didn't answer. My day was about to take a very bad turn as I put in my code to access my messages. On the other end was the un-steady voice of the owner of a restaurant where my daughters were at with their Grandfather. She proceeded to tell me that my youngest had been hurt and was in need of immediate medical attention. She had tripped and fallen into a bench. It opened up a very big gash on her face near her chin. As quick as I could; I called my father to find out what had happened. He explained to me that they were running around when she tripped and fell into a bench. He told me that the cut was very big and she needed to go to the ER. I told him I would meet him on the road coming back into town, and then proceed the ER. My father told me that my oldest was inconsolable and that she kept blaming herself for what had happened. He wasn't sure if he my oldest would be able to hold her face together while they made the drive. All of my so-called worries dissolved as I considered what was before me now. My sweet little girl hurt without her father there to protect her. All because I was out photographing for this project.
God must have allowed there to be no policemen in the area as I'm sure I broke every motor vehicle moving violation to meet up with them. As our vehicles met, we raced to the ER with nothing more than our flashers on. I weaved in and out of traffic with my father and daughters right behind. Somehow I had managed to call my wife to tell her what was happening and to meet us at the ER. As we screeched to a halt in the parking lot; I had not seen my daughter yet. My wife was the first one to look and she cringed and had to turn away. My daughter was visibly upset, but not wailing, or crying. She just looked pale and sad, and scared. As we got inside the ER, the wait began. It wasn't long till we found out there were not plastic surgeons on call, and the Maxo Facial surgeon wanted nothing to do with this type of injury. There was actually one on call plastic surgeon who was on call in another state, but refused to treat her. We had to make a choice between two other hospitals that were not close. We decided upon the one that was somewhat closer even though we had experience with the other one.
So on the way we went with my poor little one repeatedly saying "I'm scared", and "I don't want to have stitches". My heart was breaking with guilt and if I could have traded places with her I would have done so. When we got to the other hospital an hour later, it was about 10:00 p.m. This had all happened about 4:15 p.m that afternoon. We got right into a room and more waiting started. They only had a Maxo Facial surgeon there even though we were told they had a plastic surgeon. As they prepped her for surgery my wife and I sat there holding each other together and trying to appear unworried and strong for a little one. We had to leave our oldest back with her Grandmother and I was quite sure she still upset at what had transpired. The doctors were all really great in their bed-side manor. We made small talk the best we could and I even promised them all if I ever finished my project and published it; I would give them each a signed copy. They administered the medicine to put my sweetheart into a sleepy state so they could work on her wound. The last stitch was completed at approximately 1:00 a.m. The Maxo Facial surgeon did a fantastic job, and we were relieved to have the stitching over. One of the first things my daughter said when coming to was "I want to go home"! "I know sweetheart, and we will leave as soon as they release us", I said. When she could stand mostly by herself, they released us and the little accident Queen was wheeled out in a fancy wheel chair to her waiting carriage.
As we drove home the the moon hung lazily in the early morning sky. Almost as if it were a giant nightlight guiding us home. At 4:30 we pulled into our long driveway and it felt so good to be home. We all stumbled into our home and found my Father was there waiting for us. He was still reeling from the days events, and was glad to take his youngest in his arms. Sleep was immediate for all of us and dark dreams were held at bay for there had been enough darkness in our day already. Thank you God for bringing her through this, for bringing us through this. You are in control even when our lives are out of control. I really appreciate all of you that are following along. Even if you don't find any day's image to your liking, it would be nice to know that you are out there watching. It helps me keep going to know that my feeble attempts at photography may add some value to somebody's life. Even something like "Come on slacker, you can do better", would do. :) Thanks for looking and follow along with me till New Years Eve if you like.
Happy Shooting.
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