The rush was on! In the midst of an otherwise chaotic evening of a fall, ambulance ride, hospital A&E, and the uncertainties that follow, I sat beside a husband and father hoping for the best. At the evening aged, the full magnitude of the accident earlier became increasingly clear. A broken arm would heal with time. The immediate concern was the big bump on the head of his wife and its potential severity. As concerns ebbed, he turned to me and asked.
“What time is it?”
“11.35”
“Do you think we can get home for the New Year?”
“Maybe, but it will be very close.”
A quick call taxi call on the phone-app told me that one was on the way. As we piled it, giving Uncle the address and explaining that we were trying to get home to celebrate the New Year with the children.
“If I do not make it, it will be the first New Year’s passing without being together.”
What followed was Uncle honoring his implied promise – “Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.” (Psalm 91.15) No option for the shortest time was left untouched! We were going way above the speed limit. Yellows were green. The route was one only he could anticipate! As we went where we did not think logical, it suddenly because clear that we had a good chance of making it in time.
Throwing the money, door flew, and we were running for the elevator. Magically it was waiting for us. As we walked in, 90 seconds to spare, everything was as good as it could be.
We turned, lifted our glasses in toast to the fireworks in the distance, and blessed each other and the new year! It was a great moment of friends standing with and for each other. The truth of an earlier statement played out – “this is where I am supposed to be”.
It is easy to forget the promises we hold within us. On this night, we knew.
