I've been feeling a little under the weather this week and hadn't really left the house for days. So, this morning Craig and I thought we'd take the boys to church for Connor's choir practice...then head to the mall. It was supposed to snow and get ugly so we wanted to give them a chance to blow off some steam, plus I needed new slippers.
Anyway, we got to the mall and walked into the store to get my slippers when the boy's noticed the escalator. They'd never been on one before and Connor was very intrigued. (After all, Curious George rides an escalator in one of our new videoes and that made it all the more interesting.) So, after my big purchase of the day {Isotoner suede slip-on sandals that were 50-percent off}, we walked past the escalator again. This time, I told Connor I would take him on it, if he wanted. Well, of course, he did...and so did Jackson. So, Craig and I agreed to meet in a few minutes at the entrance to the mall so the big boy's and I could ride the escalator and Sawyer wouldn't get antsy and bored.
Well, our trip up wasn't a big deal. I held their hands and was able to get both situated pretty quickly. I guess I didn't realize that they didn't get the concept that the stairs keep moving. As we prepared to get on the escalator to go down, Connor rushed ahead...eager to get another ride. He was holding my hand, but when he stepped on the escalator...he fell....on his back...and started to get swept away from me.
So, here I am 7-plus months pregant...on my knees...trying to hold Jackson back...and trying to hold onto my precious Connor. I could see the edges of the stairs pulling at his shirt and pants...I could see the red scratches developing on his back...I could hear his screams of fear...and I couldn't move fast enough. It took what seemed like minutes and lift him up with my arm and move him away from the stairs...I'm really not sure how long it actually took. He was shaken up and so was I. Jackson just kind of stood there (he still wanted to ride the escalator.) I just held Connor. A few people stopped to see if we were alright....or needed anything. I just kept holding my boys. My heart breaking that I couldn't keep Connor from this painful, scary ordeal.
We eventually made our way out...and met up with Craig. Connor was so brave...he wouldnt' show Craig the scratches and welts the stairs had left behind. He just said, "I hate escalators". We had promised the boys lunch at Arby's with milk shakes...as we headed that way, Connor asked...do you think the milk shake will reach the whole way down to my butt to make me feel better?
My heart was crushed...still is. I really can't get over this, I keep replaying it in my head. I know he's okay...and I'm overly emotional since I'm way pregnant...but still.....
In an interesting twist (God always adds those, doesn't he)...we had also promised the boys that we would check out the toy store. I forgot that KB Toys is going out of business and half the place was empty. Well, wouldn't you know it...one of the few things they still had was Spider Man Action Figures....Black Spider man. One of the things Connor asked for for Christmas and didn't get. It was 60-percent off, too. So, we let Connor and Jackson each pick out a toy. (Jackson got a really cool Spidey figure on a four wheeler.)
I got tears in my eyes as I watched our two big guys walk through the mall with their new toys. They were floating on cloud 9. They both said thank you multiple times. Connor even said, you guys are the best mom and dad I ever had! Good, I answered, because we're the only ones you'll ever have. Once we got home, they shared their toys like champs...even helping one another play out a spiderman episode. It was too cute.
Maybe we are doing something right....
