Thursday, September 2, 2010

This One's For You, Karma

(Don't worry. I've fallen behind on the laundry again.)

The other day I was out and about with my kids. I turned right, heading home, and then decided I wanted to go to the Verizon store to talk to them about my keypad wiggin' out. To get to Verizon I had to turn around. I turned down one street, then another, then another. On the third street I thought to myself, "why did I go down this street? I don't want to be on this street."

Just then I saw something that I wasn't sure I was really seeing. It was a man laying in the road. Y'know how sometimes it takes your eyes a couple seconds to decide if you're really seeing what you think you're seeing? Yeah, like that. So I pull over and tell Hayden to come help me. He was confused and I told him there was a man in the street back there! Of course he jumped out, eager to help (and by "help" I mean "get in on the action" but I wanted him to be a part of this).

The wind was blowing a storm in. Hard. It was only 60 degrees outside. The man had been taking his trash out when a gust came up and grabbed the trash can and him and knocked them both to the ground. I helped him sit up and he started scooting to the side of the road. He wanted to get up but I didn't think he should. His head was bleeding and running down his neck. I know enough medical stuff (after all, I did answer the phone in a radiology department for 3 years) to know that heads bleed a lot. If he hadn't been elderly I probably wouldn't have been as worried as I was. Finally his wife came outside and was all "oh no, not again!" We helped him stand up and I called an ambulance. By this time the rain was coming down and the wind continued. We got him to the garage and seated on a chair.

I was still talking to the dispatch lady and she told me she wanted me to stop the bleeding. I had Hayden run to the car to find some napkins but he couldn't find any. I ran over to the car and grabbed a (clean) diaper. Hey, they're absorbent, right? Slapped the diaper on his head and waited.

The paramedics got there and took over. They were so impressed with the diaper!!! YAY ME!! The one dude said that it was the most clever thing he'd ever seen! (I seriously learned that in like 7th grade health class. That and maxi pads.) They decided he was ok enough for his wife to take him to the hospital rather than ride in the ambulance.

I learned a week later when I stopped by to see him that he got 8 stitches and he'd be getting them out the next day.

OK, so here comes the Karma part!!

This past weekend I was on my way to Kohl's to get Harley some church clothes. (Actually, I was going to get him some "shiny pants". The kid LOVES his "shiny shoes". He's been wanting them for weeks because dad has them.) I got all the way to the store, looked around for my wallet and realized I had left it home. DAMMIT!!!

I started driving home when Tavis called me. He asked if I was missing something. I'm like, "yes! Did I leave my wallet home?" He's all, "uh no. You left it on your car and some guy just brought it to the house."

HOLY CRAP!!! I had just worked the night before so I had a bit of cash in there. Not to mention my ID and credit cards. But everything was still there. Untouched.

So thank you, Karma, for not screwing me like you usually do. It's about freakin' time!!!


8 comments:

tammy said...

I love both of these stories. And I shall never forget learning the value of a maxi pad (and now diaper) either.

Stephanie said...

That is so cool. I've done that with my wallet before. And my cell phone.
Oh, and one time I stuck a tampon in my friend's nose when she had a bloody nose in the car that would not stop. We laughed and laughed, but we both knew I was a genius.

Kristina P. said...

Well, that's what happens to Mother Theresa types like you.

Unknown said...

And then you took him cookies and Harley remembered that he was the man who hurt his head, because Harley is a baby genius!

wendy said...

Way to Go...
Karma usually bends me over too

CAN YOU COME HANG OUT AT MY HOUSE FOR A MONTH......Barry needs some medical attention.
it's already been one day home
and I could use a rest

Harley is probably destined to be an EMT

veronica said...

I love it when things turn out well. Good for you!

Kazzy said...

Way to go, Universe! I am glad your good samaritan-ness worked back in your favor. :)

Annette Lyon said...

Way to go, Karma!

And seriously--way to help the old guy. (I'm wondering if I should buy a some diapers for the car even though all my kids are potty-trained, just for the First Aid kit . . .)