One fine day, years ago now, I took my mum shopping. I parked on the street across from some shops off Scarborough Beach Road in Doubleview.
As we walked away from the car I heard yelling and screaming. I turned around to see a distressed older lady holding a child yelling Help, Help! So I rushed over to her. She told me the child wasn’t breathing and then threw her into my arms. Suddenly I found myself holding a small lifeless child! I laid her down on her side and checked her airwaves. She didn’t seem to be choking on anything. Her grandmother was in tears and mum was watching.
I couldn’t remember the proper resuscitation technique. I wasn’t confident and anxiety was high. I was looking at a possibly dead three-year-old child. I thought please don’t let this child die in my arms. I put my hand behind her head and the other on her heart and in my mind, I did the only thing I felt I could. I prayed to God to save this little girl. And I prayed hard. By this time the grandmother’s hysterics attracted a small crowd and I heard someone had called an ambulance. With eyes closed, I focused on my prayer.
Concentrating. All went quiet. Time stood still. I opened my eyes and looked at her angelic little face. She wasn’t moving. I’m terrified. Then suddenly she coughed. She was breathing again. My prayers were answered. She began to cry. Her grandmother rushed over and swooped her up and ran over to the crowd who consoled her. I was absolutely stunned and so very very relieved.
By this time the ambulance arrived and the crowd gathered around them just beyond me. She was crying but seemed ok now and the upset woman was thanking them all for their care and assistance. I was still in shock on my knees watching everyone chatter amongst each other. The ambulance drove away with the little girl and her grandmother, whoever they were, and the crowd disappeared.
Everyone was gone. It was over. Did that just happen?
I suppose it did. I looked into the sky. It was a beautiful day.
I looked at my mum. “come on” she said, “doesn’t matter”.
She was never one for wise words.
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