A Lifesaving Act of Love
KENNETH E. HALL NOVEMBER 9, 2018 HOUSTON
KENNETH E. HALL NOVEMBER 9, 2018 HOUSTON
Grandchildren are precious to me!! If asked why do I love them so much, there's no need to think about it. I love my children - so how much more would I love my CHILDREN's children??
MAUDE CARLINI WAS BORN ON NOVEMBER 9, 1899 IN BURAS, LA.
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON HER 15TH BIRTHDAY
My Maternal grandmother was a lady named Maude. Born in the last year of the 19th Century, in an obscure fishing village in the southernmost point of Louisiana, best known now as the point at which Hurricane Katrina made landfall. She grew up on a small family farm/orange orchard. She first met me when I was only a few months old, on a cold winter's day in upstate New York.
During her lifetime, I knew her as "MawMaw". Truth of the matter is - I almost didn't get to know her at all and if not for her, MY life's story would most likely have ended almost as soon as it had begun.
During her lifetime, I knew her as "MawMaw". Truth of the matter is - I almost didn't get to know her at all and if not for her, MY life's story would most likely have ended almost as soon as it had begun.
★★★ACCIDENT!!!!!★★★
✎ On Monday, January 21, 1952, my mother, father, grandmother and I were in a car that was involved in an automobile accident. Details as to exactly what happened, how, and why are a bit sketchy. My mother told me about it so very long ago, and it must be pointed out that it was her version of the events.
As I understand it, we were driving in the Baltimore area - and just outside of the city, something happened... what, exactly, I do not know, or I do not remember. This is what I do recall:
We were heading toward the town of Havre de Grace, MD to visit my paternal grandparents (Nanny & Pop) and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in the vicinity. We were getting close - - only an hour or so away from a warm house, a hot, home-cooked meal, and the loving arms of family!
Apparently the weather was bad; Mom told me it was. Weather history for Baltimore for January 21, 1952, shows only .10" of rain and .30" of snow. I believe Mom once told me it was indeed snowing, but .30" is hardly a blizzard. Still, when combined with 28°-34° temperatures, it was a recipe for slick, hazardous conditions, especially on those narrow ribbons of asphalt outside of the cities.
This was a time before Interstate highways. Most of the nation's thoroughfares were narrow, two-way and usually one-lane affairs - unsafe even in fair weather.
Who crossed the line? Who knows? It is of no consequence - not anymore.
There was a head-on collision. Dad was driving, and Mom was in the right (passenger) side, and MawMaw was in the back — holding me. I was just 3 months old. Knowing MawMaw for so much of my life, I can totally picture that scene:
When the cars collided, Mom said, the car went into a wild spin. There were no seat belts in cars of that time, so there was nothing to restrain the unfortunate occupants if a collision occurred. The front doors flew open with the impact, and Mom and Dad were thrown clear - landing bruised but otherwise unhurt, and they came to rest on either side of the highway. They, at least, were safe...
But that car just kept spinning, and MawMaw hung onto me — for MY dear life! But holding onto me meant that she could do nothing to hold on herself, and as a result, she was thrown from side-to-side as the automobile not only gyrated on the road, but was slammed into by at least one other vehicle.
In my mind's eye, this event seems to happen in slow motion, and last a long time, but in reality, it was all over in a matter of a few short seconds. When the car's motion finally ceased, MawMaw was extricated from the twisted wreck in worse condition than the badly-damaged vehicles themselves!!
The occupants of the other car were likewise injured, and the police faced a dilemma: the other people were black, and most hospitals in the area, at that time, did not admit blacks. Though bad enough in and of itself, this meant that everyone had to be taken to the same hospital, according to police procedure, and that place was Johns Hopkins - Baltimore's largest and most prestigious medical facility.
As I understand it, we were driving in the Baltimore area - and just outside of the city, something happened... what, exactly, I do not know, or I do not remember. This is what I do recall:
We were heading toward the town of Havre de Grace, MD to visit my paternal grandparents (Nanny & Pop) and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in the vicinity. We were getting close - - only an hour or so away from a warm house, a hot, home-cooked meal, and the loving arms of family!
Apparently the weather was bad; Mom told me it was. Weather history for Baltimore for January 21, 1952, shows only .10" of rain and .30" of snow. I believe Mom once told me it was indeed snowing, but .30" is hardly a blizzard. Still, when combined with 28°-34° temperatures, it was a recipe for slick, hazardous conditions, especially on those narrow ribbons of asphalt outside of the cities.
This was a time before Interstate highways. Most of the nation's thoroughfares were narrow, two-way and usually one-lane affairs - unsafe even in fair weather.
Who crossed the line? Who knows? It is of no consequence - not anymore.
There was a head-on collision. Dad was driving, and Mom was in the right (passenger) side, and MawMaw was in the back — holding me. I was just 3 months old. Knowing MawMaw for so much of my life, I can totally picture that scene:
When the cars collided, Mom said, the car went into a wild spin. There were no seat belts in cars of that time, so there was nothing to restrain the unfortunate occupants if a collision occurred. The front doors flew open with the impact, and Mom and Dad were thrown clear - landing bruised but otherwise unhurt, and they came to rest on either side of the highway. They, at least, were safe...
But that car just kept spinning, and MawMaw hung onto me — for MY dear life! But holding onto me meant that she could do nothing to hold on herself, and as a result, she was thrown from side-to-side as the automobile not only gyrated on the road, but was slammed into by at least one other vehicle.
In my mind's eye, this event seems to happen in slow motion, and last a long time, but in reality, it was all over in a matter of a few short seconds. When the car's motion finally ceased, MawMaw was extricated from the twisted wreck in worse condition than the badly-damaged vehicles themselves!!
The occupants of the other car were likewise injured, and the police faced a dilemma: the other people were black, and most hospitals in the area, at that time, did not admit blacks. Though bad enough in and of itself, this meant that everyone had to be taken to the same hospital, according to police procedure, and that place was Johns Hopkins - Baltimore's largest and most prestigious medical facility.
*JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL AS IT APPEARED IN 1955
Lying near death in her hospital bed, MawMaw was in a coma. She had nine broken ribs, one of which pierced her diaphragm!
When one is in a coma, it is often possible to hear and understand conversations taking place. This happened with MonMon. Two nurses were conversing just outside her room, and MawMaw clearly heard one of them saying: "They don't think this one's going to make it."
But make it she most assuredly did! I don't know exactly how long she languished in that hospital bed - teetering on the brink of death. Certainly it was at least a few days, but happily she emerged from her coma, and began the long process of painful convalescence.
As for me, the only injury I sustained was a scratch on my forehead, made by Dad's guitar. Only that - and nothing more. My poor grandmother took the blows and the full fury of the wreck so that I could live, and she nearly gave her life to that end. Clutching me in her arms made her my Grand-Guardian Angel that day. I am forever grateful to her for keeping me safe in her arms while all around was pain and destruction.
MAWMAW & I --- IN 1954
FIVE GENERATIONS IN ONE PHOTOGRAPH!!
I now have three grown children and, to my delight, I also have eight grandchildren - but, sadly, MawMaw only got to see one of my grands. So they will have to see her through my eyes, and get to know her from my stories and fading photographs. I will do my best to keep her memory alive for them. My wife quickly pointed out to me that she was not only a very important part of my life, but also she was in her life and our children's lives as well. My grandparents made frequent visits and our children got to know and love their Great-Grandparents - and were loved very much by them.
MY FAVORITE PICTURE OF MAWMAW IS ONE I TOOK WITH A POLAROID SWINGER CAMERA
MY DAD GAVE ME IN 1966
MAWMAW ON ONE OF HER VISITS TO HER DAUGHTER JOAN IN PITTSBURGH, PA
THIS IS ALSO IN PITTSBURGH
MAWMAW AND I REMINISCE. SHE ENJOYED LOOKING AT FAMILY PICTURES.
TO HER, FAMILY WAS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING... IT WAS EVERYTHING !!
Author Louisa May Alcott once said: "Every house needs a grandmother in it."
I am blessed that my house had my MawMaw in it!
Today is a day for remembering her fondly.
Today would have been her 119th birthday.
_____________________________________________________________
A Country Music song came out in 1987, and it reminded me of her, but then again, so many things do:
♫
She's old folks - old folks,
Blessed is the child of yesterday
She's old folks, love those old folks
And with a little luck and the Lord to see us through ---
One day we will be old folks, too!! " -------- ♫ Old Folks, sung by Ronnie Milsap
Quoted lyrics are from "Old Folks - by Ronnie Milsap & Mike Reed; Lyrics by Rob Galbraith , Ronnie Milsap
*To learn more about the history of Johns Hopkins Hospital: http://urbanhealth.jhu.edu/jhmi_eastbaltimore/index.html
________________
If you liked this story, here are links to others I have written:
THIS IS ANOTHER FAMILY STORY:
http://kennyduke.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-old-rocking-chair.html
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT MY GRANDFATHER AS A YOUNG BOY:
http://kennyduke.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-fair-guess.html
HERE IS A LINK TO THE WELCOME PAGE OF MY BLOG:
http://kennyduke.blogspot.com/p/welcome.html
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