Gratitude
Lily and her Dad on the beach last autumn
This has been an emotional week for my family and me. I’ve hesitated whether or not I wanted to write about it, but I feel deeply that what our family experienced was a miracle and by telling the story, I hope to express some of the gratitude I feel for the gift we were given.
Last Saturday my husband took our sweet 9 year-old twin daughters skiing. I stayed at home with our son who was sick with a bad cold.
The three of them were having a wonderful day. It’s been so fun this year to watch my girls really improving and getting more confident. By late afternoon they lined up to take one last run on a lift that the girls had wanted to ski all day.
As they waited in line, my husband noticed the lift attendant at his post next to the loading zone. They were loading mid-mountain, which means most people load at the bottom then every 10th chair is left empty for skiers at the mid point. The lift was also a quad so as the three of them skied up to the gate, a single gentleman hurried to join them.
As they skied through the gate to the loading zone my daughter Emma’s skis crossed with the single skier to her left. My husband quickly helped her get untangled as the chair lift approached. While his attention was on Emma, Lily who was on his right, didn’t get all the way into position and was bumped by the chair as it passed by. Instinctively she grabbed hold.
When my husband saw her hanging onto the outside of the chair, he cried for her to let go and even tried to push her hands off the bars, since it was much safer for her to just drop. He looked toward the lift attendant fully expecting him to stop the lift, but no one was there. My husband yelled for someone to stop the lift. In fact, many people in the chairs behind and in line were all shouting for someone to stop the lift. Things like this happen on chair lifts everyday. When they do, the lift is stopped and all is well. There were at least three lift operators on duty, one right next to the lift and two in the control shack with a big window overlooking the loading zone, who should have stopped the lift, but inexplicably all three employees had left their posts.
It happened so quickly, but despite my husband’s effort and shouts for Lily to let go, she clung to the outside of the chair lift. In a matter of moments, the chair was off the ground and rising steeply. Since the ascent was rapid and the drop dangerous my dear husband did the only thing he could do, he clamped his hands on top of our daughter’s wrists and held on for dear life. Because she was wearing a thick coat and mittens, and he was wearing thick gloves, his grasp on her was precarious at best. He couldn’t even get his thumbs wrapped around her wrist. It was more pinning her against the bar than holding her. Within seconds they were 50 feet or more above the ground, heights that would surely be deadly if she fell, he exerted all his strength against her tiny wrists and held on.
Just outside the angle station, a ski patroller saw them and called from the ground, “Do you have a good hold on her?” My husband shouted back, “NO!”
Over the next few minutes, my husband lived a parent’s worst nightmare. Our daughter’s life was literally in his hands. Despite his precarious hold on her, each time he considered trying to get a better grip, he felt strongly that he shouldn’t try to move at all. Since she was hanging below the side and behind the chair, he was twisted awkwardly in his seat, stretching to reach her. He was panicked that her mittens might slip off her hands and she would fall. Throughout the ride, he was looking directly into her frightened eyes. She told him several times she was scared. He could see past her to the deadly height of the lift, the exposed rocks and trees and the hard-packed snow below.
Even though she was incredibly frightened, my husband was struck by Lily’s bravery. She didn’t scream, she didn’t freak out, she tried to hold still and stay calm.
As several awful minutes passed, he became certain that his grip would not hold for the final ascent, he could feel her mittens slipping and she had begun to cry from the pain. He looked ahead and saw the chair was coming over a ridge where the distance to the ground was perhaps 20 feet. It was also an area that doesn’t get skied much, so the snow looked like it was soft and not packed out. He decided that before the chair took it’s final steep ascent this was the time to try and get a better hold of her. He took a deep breath and reached down to grip her left forearm. For the first time he felt like he had a good grip. He thought if he could just get the second arm, he could pull her up into the safety of the chair. But before he could try, without warning, she slipped out of his hands. He watched her fall with a horror that cannot be described. Emma screamed out Lily’s name and began to cry as she watched her sister fall.
The rest of the ride to the top was terrible beyond words for both my husband and Emma as they imagined Lily’s fate. When they reached the top, my husband asked the shocked skier that had been with them on the lift, to stay with Emma, so that he could go at speed to reach Lily. He felt agony at leaving Emma with a stranger, but she was brave enough to put her sister first and wanted him to hurry to Lily. He skied away hoping she was in good hands. Luckily a kind group of skiers, who had witnessed it all unfold from the chairlift, asked Emma if they could ski with her down to her daddy, and they kindly brought her down at a safe speed.
By the time my husband reached Lily, two ski patrollers were already with her with several others arriving seconds after him. Miraculously she survived the 20-foot fall without life threatening injury. The area where she fell had been roped off because there were rocks too shallow under the snow for safe skiing. But she missed every rock and fell into about 3 feet of fairly soft snow thanks in big part to a small snowstorm that came our way a few nights before. The ski patrol carefully immobilized Lily and took her by sled down the mountain to the clinic. From there she was transferred by ambulance to Primary Children’s Medical Center. But, despite how far she fell, Lily’s only physical injury was a sprained back and sore wrists.
There are not words to describe how we are feeling now. This has been a terrible week for my husband as he had lived and relived each moment.
My strongest emotion is absolute gratitude. Over the 2000 vertical feet the lift travels, there were two spots she could have escaped without serious injury or worse. One was making it safely to the top and the other was the very spot she fell. I have the strongest feeling that Lily was meant to fall in that exact spot. As my sister-in-law so beautifully expressed, “Lily was brought down safely by angels.”
My husband is my hero. He held on to her through great danger and brought her safely home. Lily and her dad have always had a special connection and I know he did everything a father could to hold on to his daughter. I am so grateful he is strong and clearheaded. I am so grateful he heeded the intuition or prompting he felt and didn’t try to get a better grip when the fall would have been deadly.
This has been a hard week for Emma. She is tenderhearted and has been emotional. She told me as she watched her daddy clinging to Lily on the lift she began to pray. She prayed that if Lily fell, she would not be hurt. “And Heavenly Father answered my prayer.”
Lily has been subdued and quiet this week. I want to wrap her up in my arms each time I look into her pale, sweet face. For anyone who knows Lily, it makes this story even more profound. I know I am her mother, and every goose thinks her chicks are the fluffiest… but Lily truly does have the kindest heart. It’s hard to be around her without feeling uplifted by her happy, sweet and loving spirit. This week she just wants to be with her family and best of all to snuggle with her Dad. She has had a few nightmares and she is still sore, but she is remarkably resilient.
I have been amazed by how deeply this incident has affected me. I have spent this week in a state of weepy emotion. I have thought deeply about our family. Do I show my love enough? Are my actions each day in harmony with what I value most? How can I help my family find wisdom and meaning in what has happened? How can we show our gratitude? How can we earn this gift we have been given?
I’ve set aside all things this week that weren’t really important and spent a lot of time thinking. Life is truly beautiful, fragile and so precious. I hope to keep this knowledge in my heart for a long time to come.
That truly is a miracle. My heart is with your family.
This brought tears to my eyes. A parent’s worst nightmare. I’m thankful that your daughter is okay.
Thank you for sharing. I am so glad she is safe and was protected from harm. I can’t even imagine what your husband must have gone through. It does make us think about all our blessings and to make sure our family knows how much they are loved!
Thank you for sharing this. I am so happy your sweet family is going to be fine. It will make me hold my little chicks a little closer tonight.
This story really touched me and made me think of my own little family. It’s good to be reminded of how precious life is. Thank you so much for sharing!
my heart ached reading this!
I do not know much about skiing and the lifts other than what I see on television.
I cannot imagine what your family is going through. I’m so glad to hear that she is safe and no serious injury came from this.
I am so glad she is alright! I can’t imagine how your family feels right now…knowing that it could have been so much worse.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful miracle! What a blessing!
Terrifying – I am so glad she is okay. God must have chosen that spot in the snow himself. Thank you for telling us, so we can hug our own children a little tighter, too.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. What a faith building experience for your whole family- and for those of us who read it.
Thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad that she is safe! I’ll have you and your family in my prayers this week. God bless you guys.
So glad God gave your husband strength and wisdom to do what was needed to keep your daughter safe! And that His hand of protection was on her through it all. These things definitely remind us how precious life really is. Thank you for sharing your miracle!
What a terrifying experience… I am so thankful your little Lily is safe… as well as your husband and other daughter Emma. God was certainly protecting her… definitely a miracle! Take care…
This brought me to tears. I can’t imagine the terror they all must have felt. God does hear us, especially little children who haven’t built up barriers against him….I’m so glad everyone is physically ok.
I think Emma was spot on.Angels!Does your husband have nightmares. Bless you all>
Thank you for sharing your story. I have an Emma, and she always prays and prayed when she was younger, she is now a mother of two boys.
I truly believe your Emma’s prayer for her sister to land safely if she must fall was heard and answered. Her prayer blessed all your family and probably gave streghth to your husband.
I will share this with my family as a reminder of the power of prayer and faith.
I was lucky enough to find your blog over one year ago, and I can assure you that you have no need to doubt whether or not you show enough love to your family. Your love for your family glows in your writings. I’m so happy that you are all together at home.
I am so glad you shared your story. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so grateful that your family is okay despite the scare you all had. It is clear from reading your blog over the months that you cherish your family, your life as a mom and wife. Thank you for this wonderful reminder of the importance to remember what is important, faith, family and friends. God Bless you all!
What a miracle. Thank you for sharing here. Makes me realize I need to hug my loved ones a little tighter and be a little slower to anger with them at times. So glad everything turned out fine and so glad she had her sister praying for her.
You most definately were given a miracle. Sometimes we all need that wake up call which makes us stop and realize what is important in life. Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you have a strong and wonderful family
Oh Calli, what a heart-wrenching experience your family has had. Prayers and thanksgiving sent up for you!
So thankful your daughter is ok. Praying your husband gets over the shock of it and your daughter too.
I know I don’t know you but I feel like I do since I’ve read every single blog entry you’ve posted. This story brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad there was a happy ending! I know you are so thankful and stories like this help to remind all of us to be thankful for things we take for granted every single day.
I’m so glad to know that she is safe. This will be a tremendous blessing, more than her safety, but what you all learn will save you, many times, in the future. I know.
I am so glad that she is ok. That is the scariest story I have read in a long time. Thanks God she is ok.
Tears are falling down my face as I type this… we were thru an incident with our daughter back in 2000, a call that she was in a motor vehicle accident outside DC on 95 South, in critical condition, and we were five hours away! Our hearts break and ache when our children go thru life-threatening ordeals and we are helpless except to pray. I cannot even imagine the horror and fear going thru your husband despite his incredible clear thinking on what to do. And the bravery both your daughters showed. An angel caught our daughter when she was throw from her car over 30 ft as angels held your daughter on the way to her cushion of snow. When she realized the seriousness of all that happened to her, my daughter told me, ‘God isn’t finished with me here yet, he has something GREAT planned for me.’ You will always remember your blessings and how precious life really is… I do every day! Sending virtual hugs to you and your family :)
I have tears in my eyes and down my cheeks as I read this. God bless your family. How grateful you must be for the happy ending to such a traumatic story
Oh my goodness, I had tears in my eyes reading this. I can’t imagine the fear they must have lived in those moments. So thankful she’s okay. Your husband definitely is a hero indeed! PTL for answered prayers!
Thank you for writing this down and sharing it. Your family experienced a miracle in both Lily landing in the right spot and Emma having her prayer answered. Your husband is amazing. Last year our now five year old survived a drowning in a dear friend’s pool. It was a miracle and it makes me hold my family tighter. She didn’t have any lasting damage and she is great today. We are truly blessed. And, like your husband, I still had the image in my head and had a hard time. I felt so blessed, yet so scared that I had seen my daughter’s life hanging before my eyes. I had nightmares and the image of her being pulled from the pool came in my head often, but eventually it softened. And, the healing came from the difficulty of the experience. I am thinking of your family and wish you the best. I know that that your prayers were answered and other blessings will come from this experience.
Calli thank you for sharing this story about Lily. I have not forgotten the feeling that you talk about in this experience. Its fresh on my mind every day. I hope I dont forget this feeling either. Its a reminder that we get to live every moment that we are blessed to have on this earth. Love a little deeper, forgive a little sooner, and enjoy the small and simple things. Most importantly make sure the people we love know and somehow find a way to show them. I love you my dear sister and I am so grateful that it was not Lily’s time, that we get to enjoy for more time. Give her a big hug from her Auntie!
All my love, Cam
XOXOXO
Thanks for sharing this. I had sweaty palms just reading your rendition. It is a parent’s worst nightmare, and I’m so glad for the happy, miraculous ending. Your sharing of the experience gave us all a bit more gratitude today.
Oh my goodness! How scary for all involved! And what a neat answer to prayer at the same time.
I don’t know you, I don’t know your family, but I’m so happy that it was resolved safely. Best wishes for the future from a faithful reader (and never commenter).
I have tears running down my face – what an incredible ordeal. I can not imagine the horror that your husband must have felt in those terrifying moments. I am so happy that the outcome was so good. It’s a powerful lesson for your children in the power of prayer – it’s amazing that Emma thought to start praying immediately even as she was gripped by fear of losing her sister. All three of them were incredibly heroic – you must be so proud of all them.
I am so happy that Lily is okay! I gave her a big hug at school to let her know how much I love her!! And Emma too! Heavenly Father heard the prayers in Lily’s behalf and blessed her with safety. He also blessed Drew to know how to handle a horrible situation! What a beautiful teaching moment on prayer! I love you and your sweet family!!
What an amazing blessing you were given. Heavenly Father does watch over us, and loves us more than we can imagine. I’m SO happy she is safe. I need a tissue! Thanks for reminding me of some things I needed to hear.
Oh my word…I’m in bits reading your story. I’m so grateful to read it all worked out and that everyone is safe and sound. It will take time for you all to heal both physically and emotionally. (((Hugs))) to you all.
Wow! What an emotional story (I’m completely crying over my keyboard right now!) Thank God your daughter is going to be ok. Thank God your husband was there to protect her!
It is so wonderful when our prayers are answered by our amazing God in heaven…but even sweeter when we see Him answer the prayers of our children! My prayer is that Emma always remembers that, and not the scary part. SO thankful everyone is ok!!!
Heavenly Father and angels were definately protecting your family.
so happy that Lilly is safe.
Thank you for sharing. Today was the first day I received your post. I am touched (as I always am) by the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven, and am so happy that all turned out well. What a bonding time and a memory maker between a daughter and her father, especially! I look forward to getting to know you better through this site. Again, thank you for sharing something so special with so many unknown persons as myself. A good reminder that God is near and does know all.
What an emotionally hard experience for your husband and daughters. What a true testimony to the blessings we are given. I am recalling the years our young daughters skied with their Dad, and the times they remembered seeing a similar incident on the chairlift. It is not so uncommon. How grateful I feel for you that your family’s faith held them strong. Yes, miracles to happen. This is another example. Blessings to all of you.
I thank God for the miracle He’s given to your family and for the lesson of answered prayers for your children! I pray that you all get over the scariness of the incident and no one has any lasting nightmares/nervousness about it!
Wow-what a miracle! I could hardly breathe as I read your story, and imagined my own husband and child in your shoes. I am so grateful they are OK-what a miracle from God. Every day really is a gift to be treasured.
Thank you, Jesus for sending His angels…not only to help your daughter, but also to give your hubby the extra strength he needed. We have so many Blessings and something like this reminds us of all that we have received from God. Thank you, Jesus! God Bless!
I had tears running down my cheeks reading this. I am so happy it ended the way it did. Prayers with you and your family as you heal from that day.
I found myself holding my breath with horror as I read your story. Unfortunately, I’ve also had a few instances like you wrote about in which I’ve watched in panic while my child’s life hung in the balance, and I can completely relate with your emotions after the situation has passed. I’m SO glad it all turned out so well! From one mother to another, ((((hugs))))
Like everyone else who has commented, I’m crying. I know how it feels to go through a traumatic event like that. Tell your husband I think he is awesome. I can imagine it was hardest on him. God bless your family.
I believe in divine intervention. You have been blessed by it. I’m so glad. Blessings to you and your family!
I don’t know if I’ve ever commented on here before. But, I’ve enjoyed your posts for probably 6 months or so. As a mom of a precious 6 year old girl, my heart hurts for you and your husband. This situation could’ve turned out so much worse but the Lord had His powerful hand on your family. Thank God for that!
I am so thankful your daughter was not harmed and that neither her father nor sister were either.
So many hugs to all of you.
Your touching and faith-promoting story touched my heart deeply; thank you for putting it into words. I have a great love for my sweet “great nieces” and I’m profoundly grateful that our Heavenly Father protected Lily, Emma and their father. Miracles are wonderful tender mercies from above and our faith will always sustain us as we strive to to our best in this life and serve others. I love all of you, Uncle Ty
Thank you for sharing your heart with us, I’m so thankful God was right there with them the whole time.
Sending prayers for your entire family that everyone heals both inside and out, but keeps that special feeling of closeness, being blessed and your heart felt gratitude.
May the Lord continue to watch over your family, stay blessed!
God Bless you and your family.
How beautiful , the Father’s love for us. I’m grateful you were not there to witness this. What a merciful kind God we have. Been thru a similar horror with my son and still cry when I think of how angels carried him down from a two story window when he was 2. He is 32 now. Thank you Lord. Love to Lily and her brave sister and to your amazing truly amazing husband. Jesus bless you. Thank you for sharing this.
Deborah
What a frightening experience! I can’t even begin to imagine the horror your family went through during that time. I cried as I read the story, and can only thank God with you that your little girl is safe.
I am so grateful that this story had a happy ending. What a traumatic experience for you all! I hope the ski resort takes whatever action is required to ensure this near tragedy never happens again!
Thanks for documenting this incredible miracle. It helps me see the hand of our Father in Heaven in my own life. We love you and your family and are so grateful everyone is safe and all is well.
Thank you for sharing your miracle. He wasn’t alone with your girls on that slope, God had his hands wrapped around your girls and your husband the entire time. He is so faithful and always there for us even before we have time to whisper our plea for help. Hold those precious loved ones of yours a little closer tonight. You have been given such a gift in realizing how precious your family is to you without having to know what it would be like without them. Thank you again for sharing. Prayers to you and your family.
Wow, what a story. SO glad to hear that Lily is okay. Praying for peace of mind for your family.
This is my first visit to your blog and I wept as I read this. Thank you for sharing the miracle that God provided for your family. I cannot (nor do I want to) imagine the terror of being in your husband’s or daughters’ positions.
And I would have done the same as you, look at life a little differently after such an ending.
Praying that everyone’s back to complete health very soon.
We never know what Heavenly Father has in store for us or our children. Your family was blessed with the tender mercies of the Lord. I am glad the angels were there protecting your daughter. Oh, that I had the faith of little children. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this with us Calli. I was heartbroken when I heard about what happened. When I saw Lily at school the other day, she had that big, beautiful smile that she always has! You have such a beautiful family Calli! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father helped her to be safe. I know He heard the prayers in her behalf. What a wonderful blessing and miracle. We will all hug our children a little more and remember what is most important. Love you so much!
Wow, this made me cry. I’m so thankful that everyone is safe. God bless you all.
God bless you all. I am so glad there is a happy ending to this amazing story.
Thank God. Thank God.
It took me a while to read this, I had been holding my breath – – – so very thankful for the outcome. It is good to reflect, it is good to know what is truly important in our lives – – and to be thankful.
How scarey for your entire family. Thank the Lord they are all fine. This has touched my heart so deeply. I had my hand over my mouth, my heart in my throat and tears in my eyes as I read this. Hold each one tighter today but don’t be afraid to let them fly alone tomorrow because the Angels are with them.
Praise God that she is okay. I’m thankful that your story turned out with a happy ending. It’s a good reminder to hug the ones we love–extra hard!
I am passing on The Versatile Blogger Award to you! I hope you can except it. Your blog is inspiring to me! Details are at this link. :-)
http://oodles4noodles.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-award.html
I am so glad your daughter is ok. My husband and I are avid skiers. We know the risks and hope we can pass on the knowledge to our children. This scenario is one I have neer thought of. What a miracle your family has been blessed with. I hope this doesn’t deter you all from the greatest family sport on earth.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. It is truly a testament to the power of prayer. We do need to be more thankful for our families and not get so caught up in “Life” that we take each other for granted. Nothing is guaranteed. God bless you and your family.
I have been brought to tears more than once since I read this story. I imagine how frightening and surreal this must be for all of you and I can’t help shedding tears of sympathy. I commend your daughters for their bravery and your husband for his presence of mind.
I have had a few intense (but not so dramatic) experiences in my life when it felt almost as if I was using a different part of my brain. Everything felt focused and clear. While in that mode I felt an indescribable peace and calm. I wonder if this is how things will feel in the here-after? Clear, calm, peaceful, intentional.
I just wanted you to know that your story touched me. Even though we are strangers, our bond of motherhood (and the blogosphere) has made me feel closer to you. My prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Calli & family, I just can’t quit thinking about this scary episode you all have gone through. I’m so very thankful that everyone is OK. Life is so precious and you never know what the next minute can bring. Your little twin girls were a miracle at birth and this just shows you again, how they are blessed forever.
Dana
I only recently found your blog, because of another one I am following, and when I read this the other night I was just in shock. I am so very thankful that your husband was able to hold on to your daughter as long as he did and that he had the clarity to let go when he did. I really don’t know how I would have reacted in that situation.
It is a blessing that your family is safe and together after that ordeal. I will pray that everyone is able to rest peacefully and sooner rather than later this will not be so heavy on everyone’s hearts and minds.
~heather
I love to read your blog. Your blog is an inspiration to me. I will pray for comfort for your family.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
I haven’t been frequenting blogs much lately due to sick kiddos and was brought to tears as I read this post today. I’m so glad that through such a frightening time your husband and daughters were calm enough to listen for the spirit to guide them. Thank you for sharing a miracle with us.
Praise the Lord! So wonderful to read about the safe landing and minimal injuries to your daughter.
Ohhhhhhhh, I am so happy to hear that all is well. Your writing made it so real, too real. Blessings to all.
I just stumbled across your beautiful blog and read your awful story. How traumatic for all of you. I was really touched by this and hope that you are all on the mend both emotionally and physically. Glad you are all together and safe.
Praise the Lord! My heart is still racing. May the Angels continue to be with your always!
I am so sorry that this trama happened to your family but am praising the Lord that everyone is healing.
WOW! To God be the glory – continue to give him praise for what He has done. Your husband is brave as are your two little girls. Not only did the Lord hear your daughter’s prayer but I know some people on that lift were praying for her too – I know I would have been! Thank you for sharing and continue to share your testimony – cause that is what it is. Your little girl will be ok and you all will be better people for it@!! be blessed!
That is some story. I had goose pimples reading it all. Life hangs on such a fragile thread. At the end of the day..this was such a miracle. Hugs from Charlotte, North Carolina.
After I talked to you at the quilt shop on Tuesday I decided to go back and find this post (as it was pre bees knees days and I hadn’t gone that far back yet :)Even after talking to you about it, knowing the ending, the miracle of life that took place, even knowing all that I was sobbing. Like, the big ugly face cry as I read this. Tears pouring down my cheeks. What an incredible and beautiful gift you have given in the sharing of this story. Miracles do happen, but they become real to the world by sharing them. It always would have been real to your family. But by sharing you’ve made miracles real for so many other people. I’m going to go and read this post again, and thank God that prayers of children and parents are answered. Bless your sweet husband, your girls, and you. The Lord certainly shows his hand in all things. May he bless your family over and over. Only next time maybe with a little less life and death involved. ;)