Monday, July 19

she

Horse show 110109 028e

She is my baby.  She loves to ride horses.   And every once and a while, you think, Geez, that’s my baby up there.  That horse weighs over 1000 pounds more than her.  So it’s scary.  Then she rides for three years or so, and you get a little complacent. Just a few bumps and bruises, but nothing to worry about. 

Then one day, a new horse comes to the stables.   She is just warming him up, nice and slow, because it’s a hot day.  Just like she’s done hundreds of times before.  Her trainer is in the ring with her, and they’re walking slowly.  Out of the blue, the horse takes off at a full gallop.  No one can catch it and she’s holding on with all she has.  He won’t obey any commands from her or the trainer or the 10 other people who ran into the ring to try to catch and stop him. 

And then the scary part.  He does a huge buck and throws her right off of him.  Luckily, the three years of lessons took hold and she pulled her feet clear of the stirrups so she wouldn’t get dragged.  I can’t even imagine being that young and self-possessed enough to know I have to let go or get tangled up in the hooves and dragged. 

And then the really scary part.  She bounces down all three rungs of the rail, hitting her head on the way down.  She bounces off the rail and onto the ground on her left side, bounces again, and lands on her back with her leg twisted under her.  I can promise you, the last thing you ever want to see is your baby on a backboard, with a neck brace on and her pants cut up to the knee, strapped down in an ambulance.  I definitely lost it.  She was much braver than me. 

And then the amazing part.  The EMTs and hospital pushed her right through.  About ten doctors and nurses run into the room to help her.  They ran tests, and did x-rays, and gave her medicine for the pain.  They bandaged her up, and she is in a sling and a knee brace with a ton of cuts and bruises.  But we were so lucky.  It doesn’t look like anything is broken.  Her knee is a little too swollen to tell, and she’ll be seeing an orthopedist at the end of the week.  But she can put weight on it and walk. 

She is happy and smiling.   She still hurts, but she doesn’t complain much. She was sad that she couldn’t ride in the horse show on Sunday.    She wants to go to a party she was invited to today.  And she wants to go back to riding as soon as possible. 

I hesitated about whether to blog this.  It is still so raw to my heart.  But the resilience of children is something amazing to behold.  I am so proud of her and how she handled the whole thing.  She is fierce, and I love her.

Best,

Stephanie

18 comments:

  1. Wow! My heart aches for you. I am sooooo glad that she is OK. And that with that continued resilance of youth, will recover completely. It's wonderful that she wants to ride again. Mom may need a big glass of wine before that, but it's wonderful.

    Hope you're enjoying your summer.

    - The Tablescaper

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  2. Oh my gosh, my heart was in my mouth reading that, I would have been a wreck. Kristen has sometimes said she wants to ride horses, but the wuss that I am I've never looked in to it for her, and she's never really bugged me about it! But it's because of this possibility I'd be scared to let her try. Glad your daughter is doing ok, and hopefully will heal quickly.

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  3. Oh, so touching. My niece rides, and it is a scary thing, what these girls do! Good for her for "getting back on the horse," so to speak. XO!

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  4. WOW! That is just...no words. Thank the LORD she made out like she did. Prayers for her quick healing.

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  5. This is so scary, Stephanie. I'm so glad that she's ok, and I'm proud of her for wanting to get back on and ride. Brave girl of yours! xo

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  6. I could feel your fear and pain as though I had been there. in some cases, handle things better than old folks. What a frightening experience for all of you. Glad no permanent damage was done.

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  7. gosh-you really had some weekend! So glad the story ended well-its terrible to be taking your child to the hospital :( So glad she's determined to"get right back on!" xxB

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  8. I am sorry, but it is just me again. I was so stressed over your daughter, I forgot to tell you to drop by my post Tuesday. I have something for you.

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  9. oh my gosh stephanie, how scary that must have been. for both her and you. she is so lucky that she wasn't hurt worse. what a trooper. so thankful she is ok. hugs to you.

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  10. That just made me well up with tears. As a mama I can't even begin to imagine how scary that was! Thank goodness she's ok!!

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  11. wow what a story, glad she is okay! I love to ride too, and that's what you have to make yourself do... get right back on or you'll be scared of the horse forever. {total metaphor for life} She sounds strong!

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  12. Thank goodness she is OK...wow! Lucky! Hope she is 100% by the weekend!

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  13. oh my goodness, i'm so thankful she is ok. i can't even begin to imagine how that must have been for you or her.....sounds like she is one amazing girl, no surprise with a sweet mom like you. take care, i hope she's all better real soon. hugs, susan

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  14. Oh Stephanie... you poor mamma.. i bet it's going to hurt you a lot longer than your sweet daughter.. so glad to hear everything seems to be ok!!! poor little petal.. although I bet she feels invincible by now!!.. you are right kids have such resilience.. if only we adults could let go of our fear and be like a child again in spirit... so glad you posted this!!!

    sorry for my lack of visits.. seems Mr Internet doesn't like the new place and only connects when he feels like it.. and at a pace more akin to a snail race... Hope you are well...and here's to quick healing for your little one.. xxx Julie

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  15. My goodness, my heart was in my throat while reading this. I am so thankful she is doing fine. What a scare. I'm also very happy to hear she wants to ride again. I hope you recover as quickly as she seems to be doing.
    I just found your blog and I love it. I'm fairly new to blogging and would love you to stop by and say hello sometime. Take care and I'm sending good thoughts to your daughter.

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  16. I enjoyed your blog so much that I came back to view it again this evening when I had more time. I also became a follower. My little icon had disappeared so I only show up as a silhouette under your "followers". Wonderful blog.

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  17. Oh boy! I didn't know about this! I knew the ending before the beginning! I am so glad she is all right!
    If you have to go to the ER ambulance is the way to go, you go right in!
    We had a horse when we were young. It threw my sister. She really never liked riding again after that.
    There is danger in every sport, comes with it. Hard to watch! When my son was a lifeguard at the ocean , and the water was really rough , I would be a wreck. Every time they had to go in to pull someone who was way out in trouble. I had to turn the other way! Some swimmers got broken shoulders, broken arms and legs from getting whipped by the waves. So even the beach comes with danger.
    I hope by now she is totally healed!
    Stephanie, the worrying never stops...even when they grow up and get married!

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