"Will you pray for me?", she mumbles. OH NO! One other thing I suddenly remember from nursing school: when the patient says they are going to die, they are usually right. Does this mean she is dying? Where's my oxygen, code cart, fellow nurses, and doctor's orders? This is not my idea of ideal healthcare! But, all she is asking for is a prayer. I bow my head, shut my eyes, and boom it hits me! I can't pray, I'm a hot mess right now- I'm sending my daughter off to kindergarten! I keep my head up, eyes open, and mutter something about angels surrounding us and Jesus taking the pain away and then pray silently "don't let her die" with a quick "Amen". Surprisingly, I made it through the prayer without crying!

The paramedics arrive. You wouldn't believe what flows out of my mouth! "This is Stephanie, a 35 year old restrained driver, hit head-on approximately 7 minutes ago. She is having head, neck, back, shoulder, and jaw pain. Loss of consciousness times 30 seconds. Alert and oriented x3. Pupils are reactive. Bilateral grips and moving all extremities. No significant past medical history, but does have an allergy to morphine. She works at this local hospital and wishes to be taken there......"The information just keeps flowing.

Unbelievable. For the first time in ten years, I gave report that had nothing to do with a dilating cervix nor unborn/newborn child and... I did it well. The paramedics were listening intently and patted me as I stepped away. Amazing!!! I gladly turned her over into their care and let them do their job. They reassured me that Stephanie was just fine. Grateful, I ran as fast as I could back to the playground, picking up my camera off the park bench.

I arrived in time to watch Ella's class walk into the building. I missed it!!!! No pictures with friends, no hanging on the monkey bars, no last minute shirt tuck-ins, no kiss goodbye. Ella was off to school! I stood in the playground sobbing! I mean bawling! I gave it a minute and laughed through my tears at the other moms (and dads) crying too. However, wild horses couldn't have kept me from entering that building.

I boldly walk in and press my nose against her class window. There she is! Our eyes meet, we smile, and then, almost as if rehearsed, she picks up our golden necklace from her chest and kisses the charm! She knew it. I knew it. From here on out, we may be separated every weekday by school or some unforeseen circumstance, but that umbilical cord is still well attached! She'll always be my Baby Girl!

Stephanie was treated and released later that day. And, at 2:45pm when I picked up Ella, I asked, "Do you think you are going to like kindergarten?" Her response was this:

"I already LOVE it, Mom!"

 
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