Mommy and Daddy, Judi, my sister with Ron her new husband, Lloyd and Sue, Ron's parents, my little sister Cyndi, and I all walked to the edge of the frozen creek looking for the best way to cross. Gingerly, Daddy walked across the frozen creek at a place where the ice was thicker. He signaled to the rest of us that it seemed O.K. if we crossed one at a time. Pulling the four man toboggan, Ron crossed next. Each in turn carefully crossed the creek and trudged up the hill through beautiful glittering ice covered trees.
The run was perfect! If fell down the face of the mountain fitting the contours of the features below. A short five feet down the hundred plus foot run was a sudden dip. This spot was a thrill as you quickly plummeted four feet over the drop-off. The morning flew past as we took turns coasting down the hill on the two and four person toboggans.
As the morning wore on the ice began to melt and the run became faster. Someone checked their watch and announced it was time to go home and get lunch ready. Sadly, the fun had come to an end. It was decided that Ron, Judi, Mommy and Sue would ride the four person toboggan down the hill; the ladies would go over to make lunch and the rest of us would follow after a few more slides down the hill. Cyndi and I were walking back up the hill with the two person toboggan. We were almost at the top when we saw the four on the toboggan getting ready to go down.
Mommy put her foot out and stated, "I'm not so sure about this."
Lloyd put her foot back into Judi's leg and said, "Hey it should be fun." Then he gave the toboggan a push.
The toboggan flashed by as it flew off the drop-off sailing through the air to hit the ground with a loud Crack and a cry for the riders. We watched as the toboggan came to a sliding stop at the bottom of the hill. Those at the top rushed down the mountain. Moans meet our ears as both mommy and Sue laid on the ground.
"My back is broken," declared my mother. "I heard and felt it when we hit."
Sue asserted, "Get me up, I shouldn't be laying here!"
Lloyd knelt gently at her side and said, "Now I just don't think that would be such a great idea until we know what has happened."
Judi was up and limping, but moving. Ron seemed to be fine, but he had been at the front of the slider.
As this was before cell phones and we didn't have a phone in the cabin, Daddy had to walk the 1/2 mile to the store to get to a phone to call for medical help. He sent Cyndi and I to the cabin to get blankets to put over Mommy and Sue.
As we walked across the creek we notice the ice had melted some. Small cracking, popping noises accompanied our steps. We could also see the water running under our feet.We returned as quickly as possible with the blankets and covered both ladies.
It seemed a long time before daddy finally returned to say we would have to wait about 1/2 hour for the ambulance as it was coming from Oakhurst. The worst part was after the ambulance arrived it would be over an hour trip to Fresno where the closest hospital was located.
Mommy had been taking nursing and knew that both she and Sue might be in danger of shock so she told her fears to the others and even in pain wanted to make sure there was conversation to keep the thinking clear. While we waited Daddy brought up the topic of the creek ice. How would we get the ladies across the creek without falling through? Daddy, Lloyd, and Ron slid the four passenger toboggan under Mommy and the two passenger under Sue.
Judi would not be able to help carry them up to the road as she was also in a lot of pain. She took Cyndi and I up to the house to get purses, clothes, and food for our trip to Fresno. As we crossed the Creek water shimmered on the ice which had become more translucent. The ice popped and snapped as we each took our turn crossing.
When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics went one at at time across the ice and up to where the ladies were. They also determined that the trip to Fresno would be needed. The next step was getting both women across the creek. The nearest bridge was about a 1/2 mile through forest yet the ice was not stable. My dad told the men that he believed God would allow them to cross the ice. He asked them to bow their heads and he offered a prayer of protection and safety. He asked that the ice hold because the ladies needed to be moved. Using the toboggans as a gurney the men gently carried my mom to the water's edge. Unlike the pray of Joshua for the water to part, the prayer was for the water to hold.
The men stepped onto the ice and began to walk across the water. Slight popping could be heard in the stillness as the walked to the other side and up the bank toward the road. A collective sigh went up as the last person stepped off the ice.
Mommy was put onto the ambulance gurney and left with a paramedic. The driver, Daddy, and Ron went back with the 4 person toboggan to get Sue. Lloyd had stayed with her. When the men came to the creek they all crossed one at a time to creaking and groaning of the ice. The toboggan was put under Sue and the four men lifted her. They took her to the waters edge and again stepped out onto the thin ice. It held as four men and a woman, being carried, walked across to the other side of the creek.
God provided that there be no further mishap that day. No one wast dumped into freezing water through rotten thin ice. God held the ice for safe passage. The verse below may not be the perfect verse, but I believe it captures the belief that we can trust our Heavenly Father in all situations. He is able to keep us safe.
Isaiah 43:2
King James Version (KJV)
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
