Fun and Games??

So, I have to tell this story.  Some may want to forget it happened, but, looking back, there is a little humor to be found in it. . .

It all happened very quickly.  We were all hanging out in the sunshine after lunch before the afternoon rounds began. . .

I was doing my thing- snapping pictures of everyone and everything. . .

It really started when Cade decided to sit on this stair rail in front of the chapel. . .

This overprotective mother didn't see any cause for alarm as he sat there and talked with the others. . .

I think it was Zach that had the brilliant idea that others should join Cade on his perch. . .

It was only a matter of minutes before they started lining up.  First Cade, then Zach, Morgan next, followed by Ian and Gloria. . .

I was waiting with my camera poised for a great Kodak moment when. . .


IF ONLY I had a picture of what happened next. . .


But I don't because it all happened so fast and it all looked so dramatic that I instinctively reached out to help instead of mindlessly taking pictures as it unfolded.  It was the right thing of course, because if I had a picture of it then it meant I just stood there snapping away as one by one. . . well, anyway. . .


Here's what happened in words since there are no pictures.  The kids were lining up next to each other on the hand rail, finding just the right balance when Bridgier walked up and playfully grabbed Cade from behind to startle him.  This set off a perfect chain reaction as Cade threw his arms out to balance himself and knocked into Zach who knocked into Morgan who fell backward off of the rail, pulling Ian with her who must have grabbed onto Gloria and down they all went.  Bridgier, having only two hands was able to "save" Cade and soften Morgans fall, Zach managed to stay upright but Ian and Gloria hit the cement steps below.  Gloria's arm was behind Ian as they fell and she ended up with a good scrape and a bump on her head.  In all of the chaos, I found myself feeling sorry for Bridgier most of all.  Of course, he didn't mean for the fall to happen.  He did what every dad has probably done at some point and startled a kid.  He felt awful! 

In the end, no real harm was done and no one held it against Bridgier in the end.  Most of us even had a good laugh when things settled down! 

As the quiz meet drew to an end, the adults sat at one table and laughed over a card game as the kids sat at another.  Everyone was laughing and having a good time.  At one point, Bridgier got up and pulled all of the hoods over the heads of the younger crowd as they sat and played.  They left them that way for a long time as we all sat comfortably in the warm room at the end of a memorable day. . .