Just When I Thought I Heard Everything…
The derivation of the word “anchor..” is from 14 century English meaning “that which gives stability and security.” Between Michael and myself, the question of who gave those things to whom is open for discussion. Certainly there were times when Michael’s presence helped me to feel firmly fixed on this earth, and that my life had meaning.
This story is true and I’m not making it up. Avoid reading this if you scare easily!!!
It starts in Webster’s, a combination used bookstore and coffee house located in State College, PA. When we feel restless we take a ride to the Penn State campus, buy books, and treat ourselves to a nice meal at The Corner House.
One day we were there and Peter found a book called Worst Case Scenarios.It was published by the Armed Forces. It was a listing of all kinds of crazy things that could possibly happen and what a person could do to defend her/himself. I didn’t question this and Peter gave the book to Michael.
Some time later–I can’t remember how long–Hurricane Katrina took place and of course Michael went south with the Red Cross. Because of the intensity of the storm the normal processes of nature were very much upset. A lot of creatures that lived in the creeks, lakes, and canals were displaced. There were horrible stories which haunted me.
One day Michael was walking down a road with a creek running along the side. He was walking with an electrician who came to help get power back to what houses were left. Suddenly, as if in a nightmare, an alligator jumped out of the creek, ran to the electrician, and sunk his sharp teeth into his leg. Michael was wearing steel-tipped boots; he gave the alligator the sharpest kick he could on his nose. The animal let go of the man’s leg and ran away.
The man’s leg wasn’t even injured. However, the alligator had crunched hard enough so that some of its teeth were left in the electrician’s boot. This man had one of these teeth mounted on a piece of gold and gave it to Michael. It hung from a chain.
Anyone could imagine the emotions we felt. How did our son know that the only sensitive part of an alligator’s body is his nose??!!
“Easy,” said Michael. “It was in that book Dad gave me, the one about worst case scenarios.”
I don’t know what else to say about this except I’m still in a state of wonder. How was he able to think that quickly? If he waited several more seconds the man would have died or at least lost his leg.
There’s a song from the fifties or sixties by Jerry Lee Lewis called “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.” I used those words many, many times over a ten year period except I said–A Whole Lotta Head-Shakin’ Going On.” What could you do except shake your head? We were literally dumbfounded.
lgmwriting 