TITLE: In the Moment By Sanna Scales 01/28/16 |
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As the train rolled through town you could hear the whistle blowing and hear the squeal of the cars as the train went past our little prairie town. I laid in bed and looked at the clock it was 11:00pm. “Right on time”, I told myself.
I was restless that night, couldn’t fall asleep. I had the window open and the summer’s breeze was blowing into my room; It felt so nice and gentle on my face. When I closed my eyes, my thoughts drifted to a time when I was a little girl. I was riding in the truck with my Dad. The windows were open and the wind was blowing my hair all over the cab. I was laughing as it wiped around and tickled my face. My Dad looked down at me and smiled as we cruised down the road together.
Singing to songs on the radio and being with my Dad was sheer bliss. He was a big strong man, tall with black wavy hair and green eyes. He had the strength of about 10 men and a heart of gold. I was so tickled when my Dad would say “You want to come to work with me today little critter?” He had his own backhoe business and when he was going to the pit, I got to go. When we got there I would climb up the big sand piles while he worked. When I stood at the top, I could see for miles across the prairie farmland. I closed my eyes to feel the wind blowing on me and the freedom I felt gave me goosebumps!
After my Dad filled up the gravel truck, we were on our way to unload. He had an order for gravel, for someone’s driveway. Back into town we went. It was back in the day when people didn’t wear seatbelts, so when we hit a bump, I sprang up and down in my seat. It didn’t take much for my 6-year-old body to flail around. As we got near town, I could see the train coming too. I thought to myself,” wonder which one of us is going to get there first?”
As we pulled up to the railway crossing I could see the red blinking lights, alerting us that a train was coming. My Dad slowed down to stop. I was so excited to count the cars. We were going to see just how long this train was! When all of a sudden! A car came around the corner on the other side of the railway crossing and by the speed he was going, was trying to beat the train! The whistle blew….
In that moment! The car came, the train hit the car and the car hit us! I was thrown to the window and tossed to the floor in one jolt. When I woke up, I was woozy. I called for my Daddy…. “Daddy” there was no answer. I got up as best as I could, my body was so sore, I had blood on me. I climbed over to my Dad and tried to wake him. “Daddy, Please, wake up”! “I need you Daddy, I’m bleeding”. I looked around, there was smoke and fire next to us and I was scared! I could hear people screaming and yelling! Someone came to the truck. He looked like a fireman. He said to me,” Are you alright? We need to get you out of here!” I said “what about my Daddy? he won’t wake up”. The fireman said,” Let me take you first and I’ll come back for your Dad”. I was crying! “I don’t want to leave me Daddy!”. “Don’t take me from my Daddy!” I was reaching for him when the man picked me up and carried me away. The medic was checking me over when suddenly everything went dark….
I could feel the wind on my face and the warmth of sun. I could hear a familiar voice calling me … “Wake up little critter” a gentle squeeze on my hand woke me. I opened my eyes… It was my Dad… He was ok, lying on the stretcher next to me. He assured me everything was alright, and that I was a brave little girl. At that time, my Mom came running to both of us, crying and scared. “We’re ok Mommy” I said. “Oh Thank God “she said and held me in her arms. Daddy said “God was watching over us”.
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