Broken

This last weekend was a blur of errands.

Does Belen have everything she needs for school?

Nope.

None of her clothes fit all that well.

What does fit is more appropriate for a different climate.

Clothes, backpack, lunch bag, thermos. 

Crud, the lunch bag zipper is broken.

Why didn't I check that at the store?

An errand for another day.

Camden fell.

Like he's fallen a hundred times before.

Only this time he's hurt, really hurt.

He's holding his arm.

A trip to the urgent care.

Some x-rays.

A broken bone.

They didn't have a splint.

Just a sling.

A little boy trying to be a little boy.

Mom running after him.

Have you ever tried to keep a two year old in a sling?

Will he fall again...that's not right. 

When he falls again, will it will hurt?

So I keep after him.

"Camden, keep the sling on"

"Camden, don't use your arm"

"Camden, let's fix your sling"

"Camden, you need to keep it on"

"Camden...."

Please don't get hurt again.

Today he saw the orthopedist.

I begged for a cast.

The doctor said "no, a splint is better"

"he will take it off" I say

"then put it back on him" they say

I cry...yes, embarrasingly enough, I cry.

"if he takes it off," i say, "we will be back for a cast."