We only stayed one night. We got there around lunchtime, and stayed until mid afternoon the next day. The morning of the second day that we were there, we rode the Polaris into the woods a little ways, and then got out and started hiking. This area was called "The Enchanted Forest", and it was absolutely beautiful...stream and all. We were walking towards a covered bridge, and we were not on any trail, but just cutting through the woods. There were two people in front leading us, then Payton, Elijah, and me in the back.
All of a sudden Payton starts screaming. I look down and see bees everywhere! We had stepped on a yellow jackets nest that was hidden under the leaves, and they were MAD!!! Payton was right in the middle of them and Elijah was one step away. Amy (the only other adult in the situation) turned around and grabbed Payton and essentially got her into a clearing and started trying to get the bees off of her. I grabbed Elijah and went around the bees over to where Payton was. There were bees all over poor Payton! Even in her shoes and in the cuff of her shorts! It was the craziest situation. Both Elijah and Payton are crying, screaming, freaking out! We are out in the middle of the woods, a good ways away from the Polaris, and both of my kids are in bad shape. Payton got stung 3 times (it is a miracle that it wasn't more) and Elijah got stung twice. Nobody else got stung.
As a parent, I felt so helpless! Marshall wasn't there, and both of my kids were hurting and in need of me. Elijah wanted me to hold him, Payton needed attention too, and I am in the middle of the woods, a long way from anti-sting medicine, benedryl, ice, bandaids, candy, anything that might be of help. Did I mention that both kids are crying and screaming? Actually, Payton was just crying because of the pain, and it was heartbreaking because you could tell that it really did sting. Elijah was screaming and crying- things like "I want my dad" (who was in Atlanta) and "I want to go home!" (and we weren't leaving for several more hours). It was aweful. Needless to say that neither of them have been stung before, so ultimately I am also watching them both- waiting for some kind of allergic reaction. (Anyone remember the movie My Girl?) Definately not the most fun I have ever had.
So with Elijah on one hip and my opposite arm wrapped around Payton, we walked and met our friends on the Polaris, and got back to the house safely. But I am not exaggerating one minute when I say that both of my kids continued to cry because of the stinging pain for 30 minutes! Payton just kept saying "It really hurts." They each got in a cool bath, but in different bath tubs, so here I was going back and forth, trying to comfort both, but having to constantly choose one over the other, and divide my time. Then, after 30 minutes, they finally settled down and the stinging seemed to stop. Then they just looked like bug bites for a few days. No allergic reactions...thank the Lord.
So now you are probably wondering...ok, why is she telling us all of this now, right? Well, I told you all of that so that I could tell you this...
This past weekend Marshall and I went to the cemetary to see Odell. The kids were out of town with my parents. As we were standing by his grave, I looked down and saw a yellow jacket flying around in the grass around my feet. And then I realized...Odell will never have to feel the pain of a yellow jacket sting. Marshall and I watched him suffer greatly as they poked and proded his skin with needles and things. But now it is over for him. No more pain. He is free. What more could a mother truly want for her child? No scraped knees. No broken heart. None of the struggles of this life. He is free. And I can't wait to see him again!
