Last month we took the kids up to Flagstaff for a snow day. We checked Sam out of school early, loaded up on snacks from the gas station, and headed up the I-17. When we arrived about 2 hours later, we got the kids in their makeshift snow clothes (we live in Phoenix dangit) and were ready to play.
We found an area off the side of the road near my old college apartments. It was pretty steep, so I let Devin be in charge of Sam and Mollie while pregnant me stayed with Taylor. It never ceases to amaze me just how brave my kids are. They were going down the big hills with no hesitation and loving every second of it. They did not get their sense of adventure from me. I was more of a play-nintendo-while-drinking-Coke kind of girl.
Taylor and I found an accessible pathway down to the bottom of the sledding hill so I could take pictures of the action. Mollie had lost interest by this point, so she and Taylor and I were hanging out and eating snow at the bottom while Sam and Devin were repeatedly sliding down and then climbing up the hill. I heard Sam tell the dad of another family how he had been checked out of school early to come play in the snow. I felt like a cool mom (even though it was Devin's idea).
The spot where Sam was now sliding down was about 10-15 feet away from an area with a metal drainage pipe at the landing. We told Sam to be sure and stay in the safe spot so he wouldn't accidentally slide and land in the dangerous spot. Sam was getting really confident with his newfound sledding skills and was so excited that he forgot our warning. Devin was a few feet away when Sam yelled, "Here I go!" I heard Devin yell, "SAM STOP!!!"
When I looked up to see what was happening, I immediately broke into screaming. I saw Sam sliding on his stomach, head-first, down the steep hill, speeding toward the metal drainage pipe and bed of sharp rocks. Devin slid down after him and was able to grab his leg, but Sam was going so fast that Devin couldn't keep hold of him.
Devin and I both agree that time stood still at this moment. I was watching Sam's unprotected head rushing toward metal and concrete. I thought of the baby inside me, and how I was about to bring one child into the world and was at the same time losing another. I knew that Sam was going to die and that the veil between heaven and earth was open. I thought of how Sam's 3 little sisters would have to grow up without him.
I watched Sam's head, ribs, and legs crash into the bed of large rocks, and I saw his eyes close. I ran to him as fast as I could without slipping on the snow. Devin and got to him at about the same time.
Sam opened his eyes and Devin scooped him up. He was alive.
Devin took Sam up to the car as quickly as he could, while I shakily led the girls up the hill. I could feel the stares of the other family that was there. They also decided it was a good time to call it a day.
At the top of the hill I could hear Devin scolding Sam and Sam crying. Later Devin told me Sam was apologizing for going in the wrong spot. They said a prayer together thanking Heavenly Father for saving Sam's life.
Sam's only injuries were on his cheek. His face landed in such a way that the chubby part of his face took the brunt of the impact.
I have heard stories of children dying while sledding. I don't know why Heavenly Father chose to preserve my son and not others'. I was at the bottom of that hill and I watched as Sam's 6-year-old body raced toward disaster. I believe that God sent angels to protect Sam and guide his body to land safely.
The drive home was a quiet one. Sam was noticeably and understandably shaken. I told him that Heavenly Father has big plans for him, and that He wasn't ready for him to die yet.
I also know that if things had ended differently, it would have been the worst thing to ever happen to me and Devin in our entire lives. But I also know, that eventually, we would have been alright. I know that is easy to say since things didn't end tragically for us, but I mean it. I know that if Sam had died that day, that I would see him again. That because of my Savior, who conquered the grave, Sam would live again. I also know that because of the Holy Temple, I have an eternal family. I know we would eventually be alright and together again.
I heard a missionary say a few years ago, that there are no permanent unhappy endings when Jesus Christ is your savior. No matter what may happen, or no matter what tragedies may strike, things will eventually be ok in the end.
Sam, Devin and I will never forget the day that almost ended so badly. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and I know the experience changed us for the better. I hope that Sam can always remember that miracles do happen, and that Heavenly Father has big plans for him.
