Today

Today began as a beautiful late-summer morning.  A coolness in the wind belied the scorching heat that would dominate the late afternoon.  A perfect time for a bike ride, and so, that is our habit.

This day seemed exceptionally pleasant.  We ride by a newly cut field commenting to one another on our bike helmet intercom how good it looks freshly cut.  The field to the right of us is uncut and, just as we were noting that to one another, a deer bounds up and across the field followed closely by another.

“See the deer to our right?”

“Yes, I see them and a third one is following.”

“Maybe we can make the curve in time to see them as they head for the creek.”
Peddling hard will take the sharp curve faster than normal but the day is so fine why not.

Then, the sounds over the intercom.  A slight gasp followed by a loud crash.
“What happened?”
No response.
“Beth, what happened.”
No response.
Turn around and peddle hard, peddle fast.
“Beth, are you alright?”
No response.

There she lays, her bicycle near her feet, no movement.
“Beth, Beth”
No response.

Leap from the bike.  Blood oozing from the back of her head, dripping from her mouth, her breath coming loudly.  Call 911, place a hand on the precious woman who holds my heart, who bore our six children, who now lays here breathing harshly but with no other movement.  Eyes closed but not as they are when she is sleeping.  There is something tragic in this sight.

“My wife was just thrown off of her bicycle and is unconscious, she is bleeding from her head and mouth”
Instructions come and are followed, few remembered except ‘don’t move her’, ‘keep her still’, ‘the sheriff and ambulance are on their way lights and sirens’.

Very calm, very focused the voice of 911.  God bless him whoever he may be.

Her eyes start to flutter.  How long has it been?  Seems forever, seems no time at all.  She moves her hand over mine and holds it tight.

She starts to try to move.
“Please sweetheart, it’s better for you if you don’t move”

“Try to keep her from moving, the sheriff and ambulance are moving as fast as they safely can, lights and sirens” says the calm voice.

She starts to try again to move.
“Please sweetheart, it’s better for you if you don’t move”
Keep a watch on the road to make sure no cars come too fast around the curve.
Her hand holding tight to mine as though she will never let go.
Hearts as one

“I need to move”
“Please don’t move”
“But it hurts”
“I’m so sorry it hurts but please just stay still”
The eyes flutter shut.
“Stay with me Beth, please stay with me”
“Mumbling”

To our lifeline on the phone “How much longer?”
“I know it seems like it’s been a really long time, it’s been 6 minutes and they should be there soon”

“I need to move”
She’s awake again
“No, please don’t move, it could be bad for you if you move”
“But it hurts”

Carefully unclasp the helmet strap to make her a little more comfortable. Wiping the sweat from her beautiful face and shade it with a hand.  It’s not much but it’s all there is to do.

She has given so much.  To her children, her grandchildren, her husband.  And all he can do is wait as she holds his hand close.  He feels her breath move in and out.

We pray.

Sirens.
“I hear sirens, it won’t be much longer sweetheart”
“I need to run around the curve and make sure they know we’re here”
“Ok”
She said ok!,she understood, that is good right?

Prying her hands off, running around the curve to see.
They are still too far away, run back to her.

Hold her hand, wipe the sweat from her face.
Run back around the curve and, at last, here they come, the sheriff’s car followed close by the ambulance.

Neighbors show up – so reassuring, why is it so reassuring, it just is.

Answer a few questions, watch as the EMTs move her on to a backboard.  Help place her legs on the board, watch as they lift her to the gurney, and move her into the ambulance.  Answer some more questions.  Step inside the ambulance and hold her hand again never wanting to let it go.  But no, new rules, can’t ride with her.  Can’t even meet the ambulance at the emergency room, new rules.

Neighbors stay and pray for her, for comfort, healing, wisdom for the medical team.

Such beauty!  How can there be such beauty in the midst of such chaos and ugliness?

Blood drying in the street while beauty shines through the hearts of neighbors.  God is good.

What follows is a day of prayers, of asking for more prayers, of weeping, of despair, of wonder at the willingness of others to redirect their lives for her.  A day of enormous appreciation for a God who’s loving kindness is everlasting.  But also, a day of doubt, of trouble, of fear.

Oh God please heal her, bring her back safe and whole to her family.

Today is done.
Only God knows what tomorrow will bring, but please Lord, let her smile be a big part of it.