As a child, I loved hearing stories about my Momma’s childhood. Her exciting tales often made me laugh until my sides hurt. Others kept me wondering how she survived childhood at all. I imagined she must have had some wild angels watching over her, and I thought she must have possessed just a wee bit of Irish luck. Still, one story she told made me shudder whenever she told it.
At a young age, my Momma began helping with the chores on her parents’ ranch in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Ranch life on Rogers Mesa kept the family busy, and since her older sister, Barbara, had allergies, she helped with the outside work. One of her chores was to help her Mother, Elva, care for the cows. She would milk them in the morning, take them to the pasture to graze, then round them up again so she and my grandma could milk them in the evening.
This routine was something she did every day; it was part of the daily rhythm of ranch life. One evening, after milking the cows, my Momma and Grandmother started for the house, milk pails in hand. The skies darkened as a storm rolled into the valley. The fragrance of rain spread through the air. Lightning flashed, and thunder roared across the mesa.
As my Momma walked, lightning struck her milk pail. It knocked her unconscious, and she dropped to the ground.
Once she opened her eyes, she didn’t remember the incident. Her parents had to piece the story together for her, pointing to the burns on her hand. She also had dark circles under her eyes. After that day, she always had faint circles under her eyes, as if the storm had left a small shadow behind, tucked just under her skin.
What are the chances of being struck by lightning? About one in 960,000, or so I’ve heard.
And yet, somehow, lightning found its way to my Momma.
Still, I can’t help but believe that Someone was watching over that little girl on the ranch that day. Maybe it was a bit of luck, maybe a bit of grace, and maybe a handful of stubborn angels who refused to let go until the storm had passed.
And for that, I will always be thankful.
In 1996 I moved our family to Colorado Springs to start a new job I’d been promoted to. I’ll never forget three things that happened the first 6 months.
1) I had a rare corner office on the 6th floor above the Antlers hotel and was on the phone with my very pregnant wife about the storm that was coming through around mid-day. As we spoke the winds were throwing things, big things, all around the city. I’d just remarked to my wife about it looking crazy but not dangerous when someting big flew past my window thar really got my attention. It was a wooden desk like we might have at home but seeing one in flight GOING UP !!! just outside my window kinda made me feel like an idiot for suggesting that this storm wasn’t dangerous.
2) I used to think that ball lightning was an urban myth – until I saw it happen late at night out our bedroom window – man was that weird!
3) I was listening to the news the morning after a unexpected storm and the story was about a family visiting the mountains just west of Colorado Springs who were surprised by it. They had two sons walking within sight of their campsite when lightening struck their 5 year old boy who had taken an umbrella with him as he walked with his older brother, was hit when the bolt struck the top of that umbrella and followed the shaft down to his hand then through his body to the ground.
He died instantly.
Our youngest was only a few months old and that story all but broke my heart.
I think your odds for being hit by lightening is correct US wide but if you focus on just The Colorado mountains, it more like 1: 960.
Your Grandma was fortunate to have survived that adventure.
Brrrrrrrrr
As children, my mom was always vilagant about making sure her chicks were tucked away safely indoors when storms rolled in our area.
Wish those day were here now
This is just so beautifully written.
Thanks Katie!
My mom also talked about being struck by lightning indirectly when she was reaching for a metal gate through a fence. Rural living!
Our Mothers! Cousin, I believe it’s a miracle we were even born! lol1