The Longest Minute and a Half of Our Life

We almost lost Bella this past Tuesday….  We were all at home, and she was in the kitchen with us eating from a bowl of frozen fruit.  I turn around to walk out, and she is bent over, trying to get a piece out of her throat.  Brian and I quickly realize that she is choking and start trying everything we know to get it out.

After three failed attempts and a second finger sweep, Brian says, “Call 911.”   As I grab the phone and head toward the back door (so that Alece can’t hear the panic in my voice), my last image of Bella is her face turning purple and Brian laying her down on the kitchen floor to start CPR.  I always thought that I would be the calm and collected mother if any emergency ever happened, but once the lady answered the phone, I panicked.  I came back inside with the phone to my ear, and heard the most angelic sound: Bella had started screaming and crying.

After the longest minute and half, Brian had dislodged the fruit by blowing into her airway and pushing it into her stomach.  As I handed the phone to Brian and scooped up Bella, there was a knock at our door.  Six firemen quickly filled our front hallway, and we all felt a rush of God’s peace.   Even if we had not gotten her airway cleared, they were only a minute away.

Bella ended the day no worse for the wear, and Brian and I layed down in our bed with a huge sigh of relief.  Bella’s time is not yet up.  And we are so grateful to God for his protection and mercy.