A Story for the Living
By La June Davis-Wiley
Today as usual, I was minding my business. It was a special day because my youngest son was playing his first basketball game with his newly formed Jr. Varsity team. Imagine the excitement. It was a day that he had eagerly awaited. I am certain that he did not sleep through the night and if he did, he had dreams about the upcoming game.
The game was exciting. He had a chance to get his feet wet, and to imagine what Derrick Rose must feel on opening night (times one hundred). There must have been butterflies and a little fear of the older brother watching. He had the safety and security of his parents in the stands. He had his water and per moms request, a towel to dry the sweat. He was wearing a fresh new tee with a nice crisp number nineteen on his back. He was ready. He came to play!
JV won its very first game. Whoo Hooo! What a feeling of accomplishment and bragging rights for school on Monday. It was indeed a special day.
As we proceeded to exit the building, there was plenty of excitement going on outside the gym. There was a food giveaway line at the church that had extended for blocks when we arrived for the game. The line was now down to about a half block. There just seemed to be people everywhere. We began to cross the street to the parking lot. I had never parked in that lot before but the streets were full of cars for blocks when I arrived. I remembered the coach had told me we could park in that lot.
Well, as we approached I noticed a car blocking the exit of the parking lot and a few people standing around. I then noticed a body lying on the ground. I heard someone say, “It’s a man on the ground”. Someone else said, “No, it’s a woman.” I walked over closer to the car and saw the woman lying there on her side. People who appeared to know her were saying, “Come on (whatever her name was) hold on”. The situation seemed bleak. I opened my car door and instructed Mr. Junior Varsity to get in. I didn’t know what would happen next, but I didn’t want him to find out.
I refocused on the situation at hand. I started asking bystanders if anyone had called 911. I had my phone in hand. I heard two men on their phones requesting that an ambulance be sent to the location. I noticed that the woman had been turned on her back. She had oxygen on and someone was trying to administer CPR by doing chest compressions. This woman, African American, kind of heavy lay helpless on the ground of the parking lot. She wore a brownish color pants and sweater that day and a beige parka style coat. Surely, she had no idea that morning that that would be her last clothing selection. Similarly, I had no idea and no creative ability to even imagine that I would witness such an event.
The chest compression person continued to compress. The ladies who were obviously with her looked very scared. One said, “Oh God” and held her head. It was clear that the lady in the brown outfit lying on the ground was not responding. I saw her face and in my mind, all will for life had escaped her. As I stared and wished that I could do something to help, (acknowledging that I am neither a nurse, nor a physician all that I could do was pray) I watched her face. Her eyes were open and staring toward the heavens. I believe God was speaking to her and she listened intently for further instruction. I prayed that she would have a smooth transition. At that moment, it looked like all of the fluid and blood from her body rushed through her nostrils. I wanted to drop to my knees and call to the Lord. Why? Why Lord, am I here, at this moment witnessing this event? What is the lesson that I am to learn from this experience? I remembered Mr. Junior Varsity in the car. Parents always hold it together for the children.
