| General Non-Fiction posted October 11, 2025 | Chapters: |
...37 38 -39- 40 
|
  |
Jeff fell and ended in the ER.
A chapter in the book Reminiscing
Chapter 33 Jeff's fall
by barbara.wilkey
| Background 'We don't remember the days; we remember the moments.' By Italian poet Cesare Pavese |
Chapter 33
Beth Shelby posted a story about her son falling, 'Stars Aren't Just in the Sky'. If you haven't read it, please check it out. It's worth reading.
Her story reminded me of a time when my son, Jeff, and one of his falls. Yes, I said one of his falls.
Brian had enlisted in the Army, went to basic training, then to AIT, and sent straight to Germany. During this time, I remained home with three little boys. Greg, seven years old, Jeff, five years old, and Andrew just turned a year old.
AIT is an Army acronym for Advanced Individual Training.
Before going into the Army, Brian was the editor of our local biweekly newspaper. It didn't pay very well. With our growing family, he decided he needed a career change, and the Army was the best and quickest way to do that.
His first duty station was in Germany. This was before the draw down, 1986, and there was a housing shortage, so we had to go on a housing list and wait until our name came up. This was the only way to be command sponsored, so we could join him in Germany.
We waited maybe six months. I don't remember for sure. Eventually, Brian contacted us to say he received the orders for us to come over.
Now I need to prepare for the movers and join Brian. Never having been an Army spouse before, this seemed more than a little difficult.
I knew a lady, Mary, and her husband who were retired from the Air Force, so I called and asked numerous questions. Mary suggested I visit with her and her husband. I agreed. That Saturday evening, I planned to go to their house.
On that Saturday, the elementary school Greg and Jeff attended had their school fair. We went to that, came home, had dinner, and the boys took baths.
Jeff had won a Styrofoam airplane at one of the games at the fair. He took that with him.
While the adults visited, Andrew remained with me. Greg, Jeff, and their two daughters went to the front yard to play. We could watch them from the front window.
The house was a split level. The garage was at the bottom, and the front door at the top of a small hill. Very similar to the one in the photograph I chose.
During our visit, Mary's oldest daughter came running in crying, stating that Jeff had fallen.
We all ran outside. Jeff laid flat on the cement driveway. Mary had been an EMT and did a quick examination. It was decided he didn't need an ambulance, but I should take him to the Emergency Room. She watched the other boys.
Jeff's airplane had flown off the hill over the driveway. He dove after it. When he realized he was falling, he grabbed the light post. The light post was made of wood and had rotted in the ground. Jeff pulled it with him, and it hit him on the head.
Jeff had fallen about five feet onto the cement driveway.
In the Emergency Room, while we waited for tests and the doctor to tell us Jeff's diagnosis, I noticed Jeff's T-shirt was dirty and asked, "Jeff, how did you get your shirt so dirty? You just took a bath."
My innocent five-year-old answered, "But Mom, I put the clean side out."
Many ideas went through my mind, but I chose to be silent.
The doctor decided there wasn't anything he could do for Jeff. I'd come to that conclusion on my own. LOL Jeff was released with a laundry list of things for me to watch for and to bring him back if any were noticed.
Beth Shelby posted a story about her son falling, 'Stars Aren't Just in the Sky'. If you haven't read it, please check it out. It's worth reading.
Her story reminded me of a time when my son, Jeff, and one of his falls. Yes, I said one of his falls.
Brian had enlisted in the Army, went to basic training, then to AIT, and sent straight to Germany. During this time, I remained home with three little boys. Greg, seven years old, Jeff, five years old, and Andrew just turned a year old.
AIT is an Army acronym for Advanced Individual Training.
Before going into the Army, Brian was the editor of our local biweekly newspaper. It didn't pay very well. With our growing family, he decided he needed a career change, and the Army was the best and quickest way to do that.
His first duty station was in Germany. This was before the draw down, 1986, and there was a housing shortage, so we had to go on a housing list and wait until our name came up. This was the only way to be command sponsored, so we could join him in Germany.
We waited maybe six months. I don't remember for sure. Eventually, Brian contacted us to say he received the orders for us to come over.
Now I need to prepare for the movers and join Brian. Never having been an Army spouse before, this seemed more than a little difficult.
I knew a lady, Mary, and her husband who were retired from the Air Force, so I called and asked numerous questions. Mary suggested I visit with her and her husband. I agreed. That Saturday evening, I planned to go to their house.
On that Saturday, the elementary school Greg and Jeff attended had their school fair. We went to that, came home, had dinner, and the boys took baths.
Jeff had won a Styrofoam airplane at one of the games at the fair. He took that with him.
While the adults visited, Andrew remained with me. Greg, Jeff, and their two daughters went to the front yard to play. We could watch them from the front window.
The house was a split level. The garage was at the bottom, and the front door at the top of a small hill. Very similar to the one in the photograph I chose.
During our visit, Mary's oldest daughter came running in crying, stating that Jeff had fallen.
We all ran outside. Jeff laid flat on the cement driveway. Mary had been an EMT and did a quick examination. It was decided he didn't need an ambulance, but I should take him to the Emergency Room. She watched the other boys.
Jeff's airplane had flown off the hill over the driveway. He dove after it. When he realized he was falling, he grabbed the light post. The light post was made of wood and had rotted in the ground. Jeff pulled it with him, and it hit him on the head.
Jeff had fallen about five feet onto the cement driveway.
In the Emergency Room, while we waited for tests and the doctor to tell us Jeff's diagnosis, I noticed Jeff's T-shirt was dirty and asked, "Jeff, how did you get your shirt so dirty? You just took a bath."
My innocent five-year-old answered, "But Mom, I put the clean side out."
Many ideas went through my mind, but I chose to be silent.
The doctor decided there wasn't anything he could do for Jeff. I'd come to that conclusion on my own. LOL Jeff was released with a laundry list of things for me to watch for and to bring him back if any were noticed.
 Recognized |
#18 October 2025 |
I write these for fun as if we're sitting on my back porch drinking tea together. Unlike my novels, I'm not striving for professionalism.
This post is a little over 600 words.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. This post is a little over 600 words.
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. barbara.wilkey All rights reserved.
barbara.wilkey has granted FanStory, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
