Sometimes I'm Just Not in the Mother of the Year Category

Paxton & Courtney at their home.

 Last week my son, Paxton and his wife, Courtney, moved into their first home.  They are only 25 years old and have both achieved master's degrees, good jobs and now a nice home.  Paxton is my youngest and only son.  My girls have also gotten college degrees, great spouses and nice homes. As a mother, I like to think I have done a good job with them whether it was genetic or nurturing--a mighty fine accomplishment and thank God too.

Don, Paxton, and Me

All 3 of my children called me last weekend for landscaping or gardening advise.  As in my Spring Fever blog, you know I set a killer example for that.  Anyway, Paxton mentioned that he bought a lawn mower.  Paxton and I go way back with lawn mowers.  While my kids were growing up, I usually mowed the lawn.  Paxton began helping me mow when he was only 3 years old.  I pushed at the top (normal position) and he was between me and the mower pushing on the crossbar.  He would do that the entire time.

Me, Bridget, Jacquie and Paxton

When he got old enough to mow by himself, we paid him to do the mowing.  He was the best person I have ever hired.  He shot for perfection.  One day while he was mowing the yard at the shop we had, I heard a loud pop.  I ran outside and found Paxton on the ground holding his leg.  He was in great pain.  I looked where he said it hurt. There was only a very small puncture wound on the front of his leg. It looked like a mark a bee sting would make.  But there was no swelling, just a tiny drop of blood. He said he thought he should go to the doctor.  But if there is no blood and guts, then all is well. I rubbed the spot and asked if he could stand up.  He hopped around for a minute and said he would finish the job.  We decided the mower must have thrown something out the back and it hit his leg. No real injury.

A couple of times during the next few days Paxton said his leg hurt, so I would rub it. But I didn't see anything that could make it hurt.

About 3 months later, he was doing a forward roll into a classroom and hit his leg on a chair.  Suddenly, a rather large knot popped up on the back of his calf on that same leg.  Paxton went straight to the office and gave me a call.  "My leg has a huge knot on it and you can't just rub it.  I want to go to the doctor now." he said.

 

Me and Paxton

Sometimes I thought Paxton actually liked going to the doctor.  I believe one should be dying before one goes to see a doctor. When I picked him up I looked at the strange knot on the back of his leg.  Of course, I did gently rub it.  But I agreed he should go to the doctor.  The doctor examined it and said it was likely a calcium deposit so there would be nothing to do.  But he took an x-ray just to make sure.  When the doctor came back with the x-ray, he looked stunned. He had also shared it with the other doctors in the office. There was a 2 inch wire going horizontal in the muscle of Paxton's leg.  Now the mystery of what had hit his leg when he was mowing had been solved.  That little mark was where the wire was shot into his leg by the mower. I felt like the most neglectful Mother in the world.  The doctor said, "Well, he didn't die from tetanus so a shot isn't necessary now.  I'll refer you to a surgeon, who will likely remove it." 

I really felt bad because Paxton had told me several times that his leg hurt.  But I would just rub where he said it hurt and give him an aspirin.

Hopefully, when he is mowing now he remembers to wear safety glass and shin guards.  Full body armor might be advisable.