I took this picture this morning and when I went to post it I realized that it is St. Patrick's Day and I just happened to dress him in a green shirt today and he is carrying our green parrot on his shoulder. We couldn't be more festive even if we tried. Ham LOVES to hold our bird Dude on his shoulder, just like his daddy. I am always amazed how patient the bird is with him. Ham's lips are puckered because he feels compelled to constantly give the bird loving but violent wet kisses.
When I think of St. Patrick's day I think of two things:
First, when I was on my mission, I had a companion from Dublin, Ireland. Her name is Sinead Connolly (isn't that the most Irish name you can think of!) She is to this day one of my best friends. Once I was asking her about St. Patrick's Day in Ireland and was very upset to discover that the Irish do not wear green on this holiday and subsequently they DO NOT PINCH as a penalty for not wearing green. This was pretty much like finding out that Santa isn't real. Also, they do not say "Top o' the mornin' to ya". Ever. What a let down.
The second thing I think about is John's car accident. Two years ago today he got T-boned in his police car while going through an intersection with lights and sirens on. He was in the passenger seat and his trainee was driving. He could have very easily been killed. He was hit right on his door by a woman going full speed in a minivan who "didn't know how to turn the cruise control off". To relive my 2007 St. Patrick's Day, let me give you a rundown of the phone call I received:
Me: Hello?
John: I've been in a bad accident. It just happened. I need you to come down here right now.
Me: Are you okay? Are you hurt?
John: I'm okay I think, I just want you to get down here as soon as you can.
Me: Are you okay? Are you in pain?
John: Yes it hurts really bad, but I'll be fine. My leg hurts. (horrible grunt of pain) Don't worry, just get down here.
Me: What do you mean your leg hurts? Your leg hurts when you walk?
John: Oh honey, I can't walk. I need to go, the Jaws of Life are here to try and get me out of the car. I love you, bye.
The whole thing was surreal. I rushed out of the house in a panic and then a sergeant called and told me they were sending an officer to meet me halfway and drive me to the hospital. I got there quite a bit before the ambulance and it was agony to wait there wondering how badly John was hurt.
His pelvis was broken in two places, but he had no other injuries, which according to the laws of physics, is just about impossible. I still get choked up thinking about how lucky I was that John was protected that day.
This is my permanent St. Patty's Day memory. Today when John left for work I told him to beware of snowbirds in minivans and just to be safe he should probably wear some green this year.
8 comments:
That is a way cute picture of Abe!
I was at the Park City outlet mall shopping with mom and dad 2 years ago on St. Patrick's day and we received a call that John had been in an accident. We were so worried! It's funny that you post this because I thought of it earlier today.
Holy crap! I remember that happening, but didn't know it was your husband. How scary! I'm so glad everything ended up ok and he was safe. I've never heard of a person not knowing how to turn off the cruise control. She NEVER thought to hit the brake?!? Scary that people like that are on the roads.
The lady turned out to be on a number of perscription drugs that impaired her even though she didn't know she was impaired. And you're right, it is funny that she never thought to hit the brake...seems like it would be a reflex, right? She never got charged with DUI but she really should have been.
Now that lady deserves death by bee stings!
Here is the actual quote from Jack Handy (BTW, is that where Jack's name comes from?):
"Whenever anyone says 'I can't,' it makes me wish he'd get stung to death by about ten thousand bees. When he says 'I'll try,' five thousand bees. ('I can,' one bee.)"
What a scary memory! I have a few that are tied to holidays and my birthday. So did John get to write her some kind of a ticket?
I think is so fun you still have a parrot! I remember Zoey! And the very loud sounds that little bird could make!
Oh my gosh! I would have probably puked right then and there with that call. I always look away when I see officers drive through an intersection. It makes me nervous.
Your baby is dang cute!
Hopefully you set the record straight with your Irish comp about Arizonans not wearing cowboy crap and saying, "Howdy, Partner!" all the time. Are no stereotypes true anymore? I'm so confused.
I remember that like it was yesterday! I had just brought Lani home from the hospital a week earlier and was too wasted to even come see you guys. I still have guilt about that! So glad we still have you John!
Cheryl
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