Laowai

Kathy’s mom says “babies bounce”. I thought I knew what it was supposed to mean, but I never really understood until yesterday.

We had just finished some Christmas shopping in downtown Zurich and were looking to find something to do for an hour or two before heading to a friend’s to enjoy a local festival called “Rebenslichtli”. More on that from Kathy I’m sure. We were walking around the Zurich Kunsthaus, looking for a place for a coffee and a quick snack. We changed our mind, turned around to head back and in the process of hopping the stroller up a step to the museum, out tumbled Claire. I remember looking down by Kathy’s feet and thinking that a blanket had fallen off the stroller. But it was not, it was a six month old girl instead.

Of course we panicked – you would too. Through Kathy’s mind is, “What have I done to my baby?” and through mine is, “This is just the same thing that happened to my brother. What if she turns out like Mike?” She cried almost immediately, and I was thinking clearly enough to know this is a good sign. She was kicking her arms and legs in Kathy’s arms, also a good sign. Into my Blackberry (not such an evil vessel of Satan anymore, eh Kathy?) I typed, “Spital” and the kind folks at Google allowed us to choose between the University Hospital 11 minutes away and the Kinderspital 18 minutes away. The friendly blinking blue dot followed our rapid footsteps. Claire quickly fell asleep in Kathy’s arms.

We got to the nurse’s station in emergency and Kathy says, “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” to which the snotty response was something like, “You speak a little German.” Now was not the time to get uppity about whether or not we speak German. We have encountered so little of this – the Swiss are so often friendly and helpful – it was amazing to see it now of all times. I explained that I spoke some German and we successfully communicated the situation and answered questions. Although I have been trying to slowly improve my German, I have never been so thankful for two years of high school German in my life.

They asked questions, checked her heart rate, oxygen, felt all over her body for bruises or breaks and could find nothing. If she didn’t throw up or show any signs of a concussion, she was fine. What a huge relief.

Bea was a superstar. She stood quietly on the trolley behind the stroller and stayed there while we checked in. She didn’t mess around or need any attention until the whole ordeal was basically over when she informed Mommy she needed to go potty. We couldn’t ask for better from a brave big sister, especially one whose need for attention and constant competition with the little one is already well-documented.

So in the end, when we think about what happened and how it came to pass, we know she fell. It was not a tremendous height but she did fall face first. All I can think is that those cheeks saved from harm. And no Marla, she didn’t bounce. But we know what you mean.

Claire, this morning following the excitement: