Friday, May 15, 2009

Mom where are you now?

When you get a call on your cell phone as you buzz through traffic
from your 19-year-old, who headed out half an hour ago on his
bike, asking in a strange voice, "Mom where are you now?," terror
covers your heart in an ice cold layer. "Why? What's the matter
Sam?," I asked. Sam's answer: "I've taken a pretty bad tumble on my bike."

I drove as quickly and carefully as I could through rush hour
traffic to the Brick Works where Sam said he'd be, and my husband
sped to the site from the opposite end of the city. Luckily
both of us had our cells with us and on, not always the case.
Thank goodness Sam had his cell, and was not so injured that
he couldn't call.


Sam in the hospital
black marker on bond paper
6 x 6 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

When we arrived Sam's normally rosy complexion was grey
green, and we loaded the bike and Sam into Steven's car, and
I followed up to Sunnybrook hospital. Our son is lucky. He has
a large bump, and massive bruise close to his groin, that missed
hurting him seriously, or cutting off the nerves to his leg by a
fraction of an inch. We chose the right emergency ward,
and they were prompt. In the hospital we wrapped Sam
in blankets and waited 2 1/2 hours to see a doctor, but that
was fast. The hospital staff treated him with care and kindness.

Hearing that your child is hurt, swiftly puts all other thoughts
in your mind into instant perspective. And knowing he'll be
fine makes the world right again.


Sam after the pain reliever
6 x 8 inches
marker on bond paper
Barbara Muir © 2009

My drawings tonight are of Sam in the hospital. A nurse
very kindly gave me paper. I seem to have lost the best one.
Oh well -- I have my boy and can draw him again.

Have a thanking-the-universe-for-the-people-you-love day.

14 comments:

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Oh, Barbara! What a blessing he will be fine. I know that cold jolt of terror. There is nothing like it on earth. Here's to quick healing-- thank God for cell phones!

Anonymous said...

Oh Barbara!! What a chilling experience. It's kind of cute though that he would call mom instead of 911.....I guess you are 911!
Give him a big hug for me...and one for you and Steven too!
xoxo

Edward B. Gordon said...

Gute Besserung !!!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes cold jolt of terror is right. Thanks for the good wishes. He's such a nice guy, kept apologizing for disturbing our day!

Yes -- the doctor said the cell phone was an excellent idea for bikers. Plus helmets. Please wear your helmets.

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora,

I guess you'd call 911 if you didn't have parents with cars in town. We are first. We would have called 911 if he couldn't move -- in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the hugs. Quite a bit of that going on. Bless you.
XOXOBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Edward,

Vielen dank for your good wishes. (I hope I said that right.) I absolutely love your work!!!

Take care,

Barbara

eldon warren said...

Wow! Glad to hear he's going to be alright.Scary stuff. The drawing of Sam after the pain killer tells a real story. Must have been some kind of potent . I agree with floramary, you are the 911 in Sams life. And no doubt many others.
EW

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

I'm sure you're the 911 in your family's life too. You're just too darn nice to be anything else.
Yes he did give us a good scare.

Love the paintings you've posted this week.

Take care,

Barbara

Susan Carlin said...

Gracious! I'm only now reading your post from Friday. I'm so glad Sam's ok. I'm sure he's limping pretty badly, but he's alive and safe. Sending love your way...

Laurel Daniel said...

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scary. Those are the calls that stop time itself. I am so very glad that Sam is okay.

Liza Hirst said...

Oh dear, only now got round to reading your post - I am so sorry about Sam's accident and glad he wasn't injured too severly! I can't believe that you actually drew him while you were in hospital!!! You are definitely a devoted artist, Barbara - very impressive! I wish Sam that he gets well soon.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

I didn't see this. Sorry, I have been crazy busy. Yes Sam is fine, thanks for your good wishes.

Much love,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Thanks so much. It was terrible. So much has happened since, and like teenagers do, he has healed magnificently.

XOXOXOXBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

I think we were sitting for about three hours. There are maybe three magazines (old) shared between many people, so drawing is a
thing to do to pass the time, when no one feels like talking. There was a TV in the corner, tuned to an impossible movie. I drew my boy instead.

Thanks for your kind wishes. Sam is now completely recovered.

xoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!