by Dawn Clear

Created on: June 15, 2009

It was 2:00 a.m. It had felt as if I had just dozed off when the bedroom light shinned in my eyes so brightly that it blinded me. I was disoriented for a moment as a shot out of bed as I heard my husbands voice saying, Dawn, you need to wake up. I need to talk to you.

I had spoke to my husband Vance on the phone the last time at approximately 12:30 a.m. He was at the ER with our nineteen year old son Chris who had been taken back to the ER by ambulance for the second time. I'm awake. What's wrong? I said quicky. That was an understatement as my heart raced and my mind flashed back to the past fourty eight hours.

It was Earth Day. It is a family tradition for us to plant trees on this day. Vance had to leave his duties of planting to go into town to take three of the girls to volleyball camp. I stayed at home with two of the other girls to finish getting the trees in the ground. I did not know Chris had went over to John's to help move a rototiller. John is his best friend. They are so close that their friendship is more of a brotherhood. John even calls me mom.

The phone rang. It was John, I missed it. I did not get into the house on time. There was something inside of me that told me there was something wrong. Call it a mother's instinct, but I had to call him back. The phone just rang and rang. I paused for only a moment when I picked up the phone and redialed his number. This time I let it ring until he picked it up, which was about twenty five rings. John, this is Dawn. You called. I could tell right away by the panic in his voice that there was something seriously wrong.

John was the newest member of the volunteer fire department. Chris had been on for over a year and was an EMT. John became a member I believe because of Chris. That way they could spend more time together. His voice was shaky as he said, My cousin was hit in the face. Can you come right away? He did not have to ask twice or even explain. I will be right there. I got off the phone, grabbed my purse and hollered for the girls to get in the car.

On the way I was explaining to the girls what was going on. I had my oldest daughter use my cell phone to try to contact Chris to see if he happened to be close by. I am first aid and CPR trained and just figured the reason John called me was that he was still a bit uncomfortable with his training. My daughter was very confused when a woman picked up on Chris's cell phone. When my daughter hung up she said that Chris was at John's

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