#2 & #23 of (101 in 1001)

So I have started in on my quest to do 101 things in 1001 days. For those of you that might not have seen my list yet you should check it out when you are done reading this. I think I have completed four items already and at least 2 of my random acts of kindness. Go me!! It is really nice to have a list of goals - it kind of helps keep me in check.

Anyhow, I thought I would let you know how participating in item #23 turned out for us last week. We participated in our local Tour De La Porte (a bike ride/5k walk to raise money for cancer) this is put on by our local hospital each August. My family & I participated this year by working at one of the water stops about halfway (57 miles in) on the bike tour. We had snacks, water & gatorade to hand out as well as maps to show riders where to go, etc. As our stop was halfway and our shift was over lunch we had a lot of people stop (over 60) During this time we ran out of water and gatorade. We were at a stop kinda in the boondocks in the country so even though we had called for reinforcements they didn't make it before we were completely out of water. Sooo, I sent DH down to a little country store where he bought a huge (5 gallon) container of water and a 30 lb bag of ice.(This is how #2 ties in here) We couldn't let the poor bikers go without water-it was a hot day and they are out there for such a good cause!

In the meantime I thought I would share this somewhat comical (now that it is over) story about what happened to the kids and I as our shift was ending up. We were asked to stay an extra hour as there were riders that joined late - we said yes, again b/c we couldn't bear to leave someone w. the prospect of no water or food. We were at a local tourist spot that has old fashion steam trains. Soo, since the kids were getting restless I asked Jon if I could take them on a ride while he finished out our shift.

I took the kids and we bought our tickets and boarded the train. The train that is old, has no windows, and only a chain on the far side to make sure riders do not fall out. G slid in first, then LJ then I. There were lots of families on the train and little J was sooo excited because he has never ridden a train before. Off we went on our little adventure of a relaxing 20 minute train ride through the country. About 3 minutes in I felt a pinch on my back. I didn't think much about it at first b/c there was a little boy behind me with his mom & I just assumed he had brushed against my back. But then my back really began to hurt, I mean BAD. So I asked the lady behind me if there was a bee on my back. She said yes, and went for her shoe to try and kill it. In the meantime it flew into her row and proceded to sting her on the leg 2 times. At this point G is freaking out and I am going for my shoe so I can swat at it if it comes back up by us.....mind you we are on a MOVING train at this point in the middle of nowhere in the country......

Before I can get my shoe off I hear the scream and instinctively know that the bee has gotten G. She is scrambling over her brother (again on a moving train with a chain for a door) trying desperately to make it to my lap. She has been stung on the throat twice. I meanwhile am in pain myself, am concerned for the lady who has been stung behind us, am trying to make sure little J doesn't fall off the train (lest G kick him on her way to my lap) and scared that G's throat is gonna swell up and cutt off her airway in the middle of the country on our slow little train. When all of a sudden the family in front of me plucks LJ off of the seat beside me and swoops him up to the seat with them.

Now, I am thankful to them for making sure my little boy did not fall off of the train, and that they pulled him out of the bee from you-know-where's war path. However, I also wasn't entirely sure I liked the fact that a stranger took my child right out of his seat next to me (may I remind you all again that this has all taken place on a moving train!) It was nice that they took him and the lady was asking as she took him because G was screaming. But still. Anyhow, I did get G calmed down, and it was much easier w/out LJ clinging to me also......he was busy giving high-fives to the kids in the seat in front of us. I was able to get G a sip of water and watch her for a few minutes to make sure she was going to be able to breath ok. I have tried to think to myself what I would have done if I was that person in front of us....I think I honestly would have done the same. Tried to save some poor kid from harm. It might have startled that parent too but, I think in the long run the parent would be thankful like I am now too. So....whoever you were lady train saver, thanks! Anyway-for a lesson in kindness and serving others it sure turned out to be a most memorable day if not all for the wrong reasons!!