Tag Archives: safety

Protecting Children

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My intention in creating this blog was to offer a helpful and positive viewpoint to those who it reaches. In a time of division and increased tensions, I feel we all need a little nudge to walk on the positive side of life. It doesn’t always come easily but I promise it is worth the effort. I have found myself being drawn into watching short videos with kittens, puppies and babies that leave a smile on my face. It’s the simplistic and innocent start of life that I find uplifts me and joyously helps me see hope for the future. Personally, it also invokes a feeling of protection in me.

It has been decades since my son was a child, let alone an infant. Still, I can’t help but feel I will always be a mama bear. With that admission, I know better than to intercede in his life. My role now, as his parent, is to pray for him daily and hope how he was raised will continue to lead him the best way through life. I can still recall his first steps, the transition from a crib to a bed and the first time he rode a bike without training wheels. These are the moments captured in the pages of a baby book.

There are the typical moments that a parent can gladly recall but there are other memories that elicit the opposite in response. Those are the times that you find your heart in your throat and your breath strangely gone. I have experienced those moments. One recently came to mind. Rather than a typical high chair I wanted my son to have a baby butler. It was a high chair surrounded by a table, more than just a tray. That is what my brothers and I had when we were young and I wanted the same for my son. All was fine until one day the bottom dropped out of the chair. I am grateful that even at that young age, my son had the presence of mind to grab the bars around the edge of the table preventing him from falling through. I shudder to think of what harm that fall could have caused.

There are dangers that children can face through no fault of their own. Summer continues to bring the sad stories of children left alone in hot vehicles. There are other dangers that can affect them. I recently saw where a child was safely removed from a deep drop into a channel for a sump pump. If a sibling had not alerted the parents the outcome could have been different. The cover had become loose and dislodged and the child fell in without any warning. A longtime friend has recently shared with me a danger that exists in many yards, that sounds much the same as the sump pump cover. Another culprit is the inadequately secured septic tank cover.

Very often I write my blogs with tongue in cheek. If you follow me, you might remember I posted a blog about Septic Trucks in April. Cutting to the chase, it was suggested the reader would be much better off if they were not “full of it”. With the new information that was shared with me I find the only responsible thing to do is share it with all of you. In all seriousness, children are dying by accidently falling into septic tanks and drowning. It is the result of lids that are loose or deteriorated. Through the neglect or ignorance of an adult, a child can be put in a life or death situation. If you have a septic tank, waste no time in checking that your lid is secure and in good working order. Don’t take it for granted that the individual who last emptied the tank or the last one to have mowed over the area, left the lid as secure as it should be. If your neighbors also make use of a septic tank, a reminder to them would be helpful. A few minutes to ensure the security of your lid could protect the life of a child. It’s too late for the 50 children who die annually but we have the power to lower and eliminate that statistic.

There are times that children find danger innocently through play and considering the world their adventure. Their role in life is to grow and learn while it’s our role to protect them as they are entrusted to us. I can think of nothing sadder than to lose a child, and further acknowledge that it would not have happened if a few moments of focusing on safety had taken place. If you find this message is a bit different than most of my blogs, please know that in my mind, there is nothing more important than safeguarding a child. I would appreciate it if you would do me the honor of helping to spread the word.

Lost

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I was looking forward to the day. It would be the last time I would be meeting with this group of colleagues. I wasn’t concerned about the drive that would take one hour and a half. Our agency is spread over several locations and I was used to driving. Virtual meetings have increased greatly since COVID made them a necessity and I now gladly accept the opportunity to meet face to face as it has become the exception rather than the norm. My clothes were set out and my lunch was packed the night before. I was set.

The morning came and I was ready to leave as I took one last look at myself in the mirror. How did I not notice that something had bled on my blouse in a previous wash? It was much too noticeable at that time and I scrambled to decide what to wear. It put me a little bit behind but not by much as I had given myself an extra half hour for travel. Translated: I gave myself time to access the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts and treat myself to the companionship of coffee and a donut on the trip. Once my purchase was made I put my coordinates in my phone and was ready to let GPS take control. It had been well over a year since I drove to this location and it was not committed to memory. I soon learned my phone was offline and there was no cajoling it to bring up the appropriate directions. I pulled out the cell phone provided from work and realized I couldn’t come up with the correct password. One attempt warned me that it would take five minutes before I could try again. Subsequent attempts pushed the time limit set for new efforts further out by fifteen minutes each. All of a sudden I felt I was trying to climb a mountain of shifting sand. It was the previous day that a conversation led me to state that I could read a map, but who carries them in their car anymore, even though my car doesn’t come equipped with GPS? If it wasn’t my last time, meeting with this team, I would have decided to change my plans and drive to my office. It didn’t seem like much of a choice as I enjoy the company of these people and knew I had to make the trip.

It was time for an executive decision. I would return home, a ten minute drive, and access maps on my laptop and go old school. I reached out to my manager to share my situation and that most likely I would be late, but eventually would be there to join them. I texted my son, who happens to be an IT guru, and asked for his input. This is a good time to let you know that my printer at home didn’t work and I jotted down the directions. I thought at the time it was enough to jog my memory and ensure me a successful drive to the location. I was wrong.

It is difficult to read directions when you are on a road whose speed limit is over 50 mph. I inadvertently turned down a road that was evidently incorrect. I believe the route number was correct but I couldn’t locate the connecting road. I was deep in God’s country. I never realized how many orchards there are in the area. Again, reaching out to my son by text, he suggested that I find a fast food business that would allow me to use their Wi-Fi and get back on track. I had to let him know that there was nothing like that for miles. I was in a location that remained untouched by progress for decades. He tried texting me directions with the sketchy information I was providing him. I was beginning to feel a bit frantic.

It was at this point that I noticed that the programed oldies station had dissipated and a Christian station had taken its place. I was not familiar with the songs but I didn’t need to be. It was the nudge I needed to fall back on the well-known: Jesus is my copilot. Additionally, I realized that I had a sign from my late sister in law. It made me laugh. I don’t know if I really trusted her directions in life and wasn’t sure if I was safe doing it in death. I pictured her in the passenger seat. It seemed so natural as I happen to be driving her former car. With these observations I made others. I was driving through some beautiful countryside. It was a gorgeous day with a bright blue sky and my gas tank was full. The backdrop was a luscious green from the vast amount of rain we had received and colorful beds of flowers could be found in every direction. I located a road whose name was familiar. Thank goodness I enjoy Civil War history as I recognized the road, knowing it would take me to the battlefield. I could easily find my way to the office once I had made it to this neighboring town.

When I reached the office, it was much later than I anticipated. I had missed a good portion of the business but it didn’t matter. I made a grand entrance with a joyful countenance. I had a story to tell and a lesson learned. Although I was physically alone in the car, I didn’t feel like I was driving solo. It took me a little longer than I would have liked but the realization that prayer is always an important option calmed me. Although I am still not sure I would trust directions from my sister in law, it was a pleasant reminder that the love continues once someone has transitioned to the other side. My son will always be my life line and I will think of him as my greatest blessing for so many reasons. I continue to trust that I am where I am supposed to be, when I am supposed to be there, regardless of my plans. As I enter a new stage in life, I am reminded I am not alone. There might be some unexpected detours along the way but I will reach my destination. I need to acknowledge that I have support, appreciate the scenery and enjoy the ride.