A Day To Remember....

For some reason, this story came to mind today & I had over 100 people liked it, or commented on it on Facebook...including the precious mother, Stephanie Stacy Baker..

Remembering a day about 7 or 8 years ago, (perhaps in December, not sure) when something happened on my bus run that lingers still...There were just about 15-20 kids on my bus as we went merrily up Watkins Branch, near Grundy, Va. & as was my custom, I was belting out some songs & since we had seen a giant Frosty the Snowman inflatable, that was my song of choice: Thumpity Thump! Thump!..Thumity Thump! Thump! Look at Frosty Go!...and then I sang: Going up Cripple Creek! Going in a run! Going up Cripple Creek to have some fun!...Fun switched to reality in a heartbeat, when we rounded a curve, less than a mile up Watkins Branch, & there was the lady that brought her four-year old daughter down the steep driveway in her car to meet my Big Yellow Bus...This particular morning, my heart leaped to my throat as I saw Stephanie Baker standing in the creek waving her arms desperately & as I slid back the driver's side glass, I could hear her screaming..."HELP! SAVE MY BABIES!" Her car had flipped off about a 10 foot retaining wall on its top, into the icy water of Watkins Branch & she was standing in the water, obviously in shock, but unable to reach her baby in the car seat in back...Knowing I was breaking protocol & since radios had not been installed at that time (But were later that year due to this & a similar incident)...So, threatening my kids within an inch of their life, to 'Stay on the Bus', I sent the oldest to 'Call for Help' (No houses in Sight), I left the bus & went to the other side of the bridge & down into the creek, through a briar patch, no rabbit could have gotten through & arrived in the creek bed, ready to lift the car if necessary & all this time, Stephanie was screaming, "Save my Babies!" Save my Babies!'...only later did I determine there was just one baby, 6-month old Amber, who was upside down in her car seat & I determined, that if she slipped out of her car seat, she could very possibly drown & the only way I could possibly reach her, was to 'Lie down in the icy water' which I did...Only then, was I able to see a smiling Amber, looking down at me, like it was a game we were playing...Knowing I had to act quickly, I fumbled with the car seat release, knowing I was just going to have 'One' chance...I had to release the button & catch her when she slipped free, which I was able to do...NO! I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT! AN ANGEL MUST HAVE TAKEN OVER MY BODY!...Me & The Angel quickly handed Amber to her Mommy, who was completely overjoyed, but shivering uncontrollably , as was I...Looking up in the road, I saw 'ALL' of my kids standing in the road & I sent one up the hill to get Stephanie's shoes, that she said were on her porch & suddenly I saw a Rescue Squad vehicle arrive on the scene...Four-year old Sienna went on to school on the bus with me, as I left Stephanie & her precious Amber in the Rescue Squad vehicle....Sobbing & Crying (Tears of Joy!) I made my way on to Riverview, with no more passengers as the others had long since given up on my coming....Teeth chattering, almost in shock, unable to sing, unable to get warm...For many days! lol....Except In MY HEART!