I had a life and death experience about a week ago. And no, I’m not kidding. It was terrifying.
I was sitting around the dinner table with most of my children. Miss L was off with a friend, but the children were all home. Dad, however, was working late. We had a simple dinner of taco salad and I had cut up nectarines for everyone to share. I was chatting with the boys about their day at school. Everything was casual.
Then I popped half a slice of nectarine into my mouth and somehow sucked it immediately down my gullet. I immediately knew I was choking. I sat for a second trying to cough it up, or suck it down, but the piece was too large. I rose from the table with my hands on my gullet, not certain what to do. I remembered seeing people use a chair to do the Heimlich on themselves, so I walked towards my son’s chair. But I realized that it was too short and that the stools at the counter were too tall.
In that moment, the following thoughts flowed through my mind:
I am going to die.
I am going to die in front of my children choking on a stupid piece of fruit.
I don’t know if you believe in God, but I do. I immediately sent up two prayers. Dear Heavenly Father, please don’t let me die, and if it’s my time to go, please don’t let me die in front of my children.
I sucked in the last bit of air that I knew I’d be able to and determined to try to choke that piece of nectarine out of my gullet. I somehow was able to squeeze it hard enough that part of it I spit out and part of it went down my gullet. And boy did it hurt going down. It was much too large, but I was breathing. I sent an immediate ‘thank you’ up to heaven, then sat down and shook like a leaf.
My house had become deathly silent. I looked up and realized that the children were all staring at me.
Mister M said, “Mom, are you ok?”
I replied that I had been choking and then we had a long conversation about what to do if someone were choking. I am also determined to teach them how to do the Heimlich maneuver as well.
About a half hour later, I was helping Miss O in the bathroom. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes and said, “Mom, you not a ghost?” Tears stung my eyes.
Oh, sweet baby girl. No. I’m not a ghost. Not yet, and God willing, not for a very, very long time.
*******
Now for some explanation on why I chose the word gullet. A couple of my fun bloggy friends have a fun little blog hop in which they choose a word of the week. I’m sure you’ve guessed what the word of the week is by now!
Oh my goodness! How terrifying! I am always afraid of something like that happening. I definitely believe in the power of prayer. I think that saved you! Praise the Lord!
.-= Chantal´s last blog ..The Scramble =-.
That is so scary – I’ve had that happen one time and it is absolutely terrifying. I hope to never experience it again.
I’m so glad that your prayers worked and that God was protecting you, and the kids!
Great use of the WOW!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Do You Believe In Ghosts? =-.
That was terrifying to read about, it had to be awful…hows your gullet?
Oh my gosh Stacey! I am so glad you are okay! That is so scary! We need a bat signal or something you could send off so that we can run and help!
Oh my goodness! That’s so scary. I’ll have to be sure to physically teach my kids how to do the Heimlich. We’ve talked about it, but I’ve never actually done it with them. Scary stuff! I’m so glad you’re okay. God is good.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
.-= Kristi {at} Live and Love…Out Loud´s last blog ..“OH NO HE DIDN’T!” Tuesday: “Take It Like A Good Wife” =-.
I think this was even scarier reading it than when you told me about it. I am so glad it worked out ok and that you are in fact, not a ghost! Great use of the WOW! Five times! That is the most I have seen so far.
.-= Sonora´s last blog ..Mostly Wordless Wednesday: Slip N’ Pose =-.
Oh my gosh. Thank God it went down. You never think to teach your children about stuff like that until after something happens. I’ll keep that in mind for the future. Great use of the WOW. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
.-= Ms. Understood´s last blog ..He broke my heart when I was 9 =-.
Oh, Stacey! That’s terrifying. I’m so glad you are okay and your kids didn’t have to watch you die!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Just a little rain =-.
ps I’m following you & grabbed your button too =)
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Just a little rain =-.
What a scary experience. Death is just really one of those things that none of us are prepared for, and hopefully your kids don’t have to encounter for a long time.
I just read this interesting ebook about death where the character experiences hundreds of little lives in the last second before he dies. I was kind of interesting, but I have never known anyone who came close before. Were their any sudden realizations?
.-= Katie´s last blog ..The Queens Secret A Book Review =-.
ok, you’ve got me in tears. so scary. glad you’re ok. glad your prayers were answered. what a precious bunch of kids you’ve got. stay away from big chunks of nectarines in the future!
.-= keely aka LKP´s last blog ..We Interrupt Your Normally Scheduled Program… =-.
OH NO!!!! I don’t want you choking to death just to participate in Word Up, YO! Poor Stacey!!
I hope our next word isn’t so dangerous.
.-= liz´s last blog ..Mothers of Boys Take Note =-.
@liz LOL I must say that I was delighted to learn the WOW because it fit so perfectly into this post! I’m just lucky like that!
Oh my goodness, how scary! Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I were choking on something….
I’m glad your prayers were answered!
.-= Jen Gacek´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday – Black Forest Cake =-.
Oh my! I popped over here for a look-see (thanks for the comment, by the by!) and lo! there was scary drama and near-death by fruit! So glad you were okay. That’s super frightening!
Excellent use of the word, though, in dire circumstances even!
.-= CDG´s last blog ..Four Years Ago =-.
That must have been terrifying! I’m glad you’re ok though. Good use of the WOW
Thanks for your visit yesterday!
.-= Pumpkin and Piglet´s last blog ..Can I start the day again? =-.
This is a shockingly appropriate use of the word gullet. Shocking because even though I know you’re alive to type this, my heart is still in my throat the whole time.
KLZ´s last [type] ..Word Up, Yo!
How terrifying!! I’m happy to hear that you are okay now! Does make for a great learning experience for your kids.
Cori´s last [type] ..Hard Boiled Eggs: A First