Salamtak, History Buff

History Buff is on crutches,  ya muskiin, but how thankful I am. We spent three hours at Arab Medical Center doing xrays and waiting for the ministrations the greatest Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon of the East, Dr. Amr Amr. For the excellent and humor-filled care of Dr. Amr “Squared”, I am grateful. I am also most grateful that my only medical options are not Al Bashir and Prince Hamzeh Hospitals, and that we have good health insurance.

Today in PE History Buff  was playing with a soccer (football) goal post, and the thing came crashing down on his lower leg, separating the bones of his foot from his ankle more than they should be. Not a break, but he is unable to bear weight more than if it was broken.  I got the call just as I was settling in for a marathon of dead-line induced writing, having gotten the kounouz to school on time, had a good breakfast, a  time of personal bible study, prayer with a friend, and even weightlifting. What makes this special? It was all accomplished BEFORE I even turned on the computer.  I remember having this fleeting thought: “Now don’t think the day will go perfectly just because you started well and did what you are supposed to”. You now, that semi-manipulation of God thing, that if I do stuff His way,  He’ll give me whatever I want. I’m thankful I was mentally prepared for whatever came my way.

I picked him up, poor little kid, he was in so much pain. I was trying to cheer him up with thoughts of his pick of movies on the couch, Al Arz Mango ice cream and mommy’s constant attention. We went to the hospital, where they know me well now after Spikekid’s broken arm (skateboarding) and jammed thumb (basketball), and Project Boy’s strep throat infection (swimming). He cheered up after realizing he was going  to get squired around in a wheel chair, and that he had my undivided attention.

One great thing about the ex-pat lifestyle, is that we have all become a little ‘Arab’ in that when there is an emergency, there is just no such thing as being too busy to help.  One call to an  American buddy, another to a Dutch friend, one to a Jordanian sister, and all the details of pick-ups and drop-offs and baseball practices were accomplished.

He and I talked about how his casted leg was going to guarantee us pre-boarding privileges on all our flights to the US, and a coveted ride on one of those electric carts through Frankfurt Airport. He remembers the last time we got to do that, when the cute little driver winked and told us “I know all the shortcuts, I will get you to your connecting flight on time!” She drove like a bat out of hell, it was more fun than Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland. We did not make that flight, but we have the memory of several near-death experiences getting there. We also talked about how it was going to end his first season in Kid-Pitch Division baseball, where he is playing well at 3rd base. Good news, bad news. More good: the cast will come off before our California trip, which will be full of hiking, swimming and body-surfing.

His siblings all signed his cast, and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing with good wishes and inquires pouring in. Lil Kinz is his personal assistant, fluffing his pillows, taking his plates, bringing whatever he needs. Too cute. Spikekid and ProjectBoy have also been very helpful, but since we have inaugurated  a new pay-per-chore allowance system, keep asking if they will get paid for their ‘help’! Post on that to follow next week. Whatever the motivation, I am thankful for the help.

I am most thankful of all that he heard the Holy spirit warning him not to run from the falling post, which is what his flight instinct was telling him to do. Had he, it would have fallen on his chest and crushed him. Two days ago I read a CNN headline that an 8 year old boy was killed by a falling goal post. I know better than to read those kind of stories, they make mothers ill with nightmares of how many ways children can die. But having read the title, makes me realize how very close I came to saying goodbye for the last time this morning to my precious treasure, History Buff.

Thank You, Lord!