OUCH!
by
Alice Newton

Since the beginning of man’s existence, the elements Earth, Water, Air, and Fire have provided the platform for the building and sustenance of life. When any of them runs amok, however, that same life can be threatened or extinguished.

I still bear the scars of my first personal encounter with fire. I was a 17-months-old toddler (and apparently a tipsy one at that!) when I had an accident which my brain has forgotten but my body has not!

My mother had raked up fallen leaves and branches from an autumn storm and had thrown them down into a burn pit. Once the fire settled, she dragged the engine hood from an old truck over top of the charring embers. As she turned to walk to the top of the rise, I tripped and rolled past her into the pit. Mom was able to scoop me up quickly, but not before both of my hands slid into the intensely hot ashes. Fortunately for me, I was dressed in a wool jacket, bonnet, and leggings which did not ignite immediately.

Our family had only one car, which Dad had to use to drive back and forth to work, so I’m not sure how I was transported to the hospital. Our remote area certainly didn’t offer any ambulance service. I spent 3 weeks undergoing treatment for first-degree burns. My right hand was the most seriously burned, and I had to receive a skin transplant (the source of which was mom’s thigh.)

The incident must have been immensely traumatic, even if I don’t have a specific recollection of it. I didn’t learn to speak until I was over 3 years of age, saying only “ding.” Mom and Dad were “ding”, the cat was “ding” and so was my older sister. It must have been a huge relief when I finally learned some real words.

When I reached first grade, I remember that my left hand was the cause of great curiosity. The scar tissue on the back of it was quite transparent and provided a window through which the inner workings could be viewed with ease. A queue would actually form in the schoolyard at recess with kids waiting their turn to take a peek at this phenomenon. I was still affected with a slight speaking impediment, but was soon chattering enough to have my new bad habit noted in almost every report card.

Now that I am in my senior years, I hope I can be forgiven for choosing places to live that have no yard maintenance—at least none related to raking or burning. Fire is the element I respect the most!