Falling through the ice
I was six and we lived on a farm in Lena IL.
There was a creek that ran along side of the one mile drive up to the old farm house.
my brother clint and I would always go down on the creek ice and have our Huck Fin, Tom Sawyer adventures.
It was a beutiful crisp winters day and the ice was frozen solid.
Except for one hole in the ice about 4 ft. in diamiter.
Clint was hacking away on the side of the creek bed with an ice pick just having a good ol time chopping at the ice and earth.
His back was turned to me so he could not see what I was up to. I was on a tricycle speeding up to that hole in the Ice and I would slam on the brakes and sliiiiiiide across the ice just to see how close I could get to that hole.
Well about my third attempt of Stevil Kenevil, (or so I thought I was)..
I fell right into that damn hole, the current swept me under the ice. My face crashed on the bottom side of the ice, and I could see my brother through the ice on the surface still hacking away. My body instantly froze to my advantage, my left hand some how was grasping the upper edge of the ice. I pulled myself up with all of my might and when my lips broke free of the bone chilling waters I yelled CLINT!!!!! My brother turned and dove across the ice like a base ball player sliding into 1st base. He grabbed my arm just as the current sucked me under a second time.He pulls me out with all his might, and gives me his coat. We were about a half mile down that mile long drive way.
We walked back to the house Clints arm and coat wrapped around me. We made it to the front porch, I was cying, and opens the front door was Dad just laughing his ass off. Oh but he had warm towels in hand ready to go! I sobbed as he dried me off, and I said I fell through the ice. Still laughing he said I know I saw the whole thing!!!!
I never understood why My Dad was laughing? then one day it came to me. It was just the way he was. He found the good in every moment, in every person, in everything! Of course Brother Clint is the true hero here, let us not forget, he saved my life. But I will never ever forget that laugh of joy from our father.
Im sure he was just so happy that i lived, and to see such a thing as me trying to be Stevil Kenevil in my Dads eyes, was probably pretty damn funny.
I miss your laugh Dad, even when I dont understand why your laughing!!! Id give anything to hear it again!!!!!
Love And God Bless!!!!
Your Son,
Steve