Amazing How Much a Mother Gives

Danger gripped that day so long ago. Sunshine and a picnic should be fun! One mom and five children, friends, you know. Hysterically shouting, mom screamed, “Run!” There they were, skipping rocks on the lake. Two boys, one was ten and one seven. Both carefully watching for a snake, Sisters nearby played, each soft spoken. Boys had fun counting skips. One. Two. Three. Mom by the grill, busily cooking, Watched; two girls laughed and giggled by a tree. The toddler hugged her mom, clinging. The boys, soon, tossed some stones at a log. Competition: who could hit it most? One after another in the bog, Counting their hits, they both were engrossed. All of a sudden, the log rose up. “Come get the baby; go climb a tree!” Life or death seemed to be a tossup. Terror stuck; like mom screamed, we did flee! Boys in a tree, girls on a table, Mom and the gator stared eye to eye. He moved forward, each step gradual. She stood her ground; I feared she might die. Not one step back, she stood there and dared. Would he attack? We all watched Mom’s back. He wanted to…Mom won as she glared. He slithered back, Mom’s courage, no lack! The picnic was over; we packed up. Mom loved her babies; she saved our lives. Needless to say, it was a shakeup. Amazing how much a mother gives. © October 8, 2011 Dane Smith-Johnsen Oops...too late for the "Stand Out Day Contest"