A Fiery End

“I don’t even like to think about that bike. It almost killed me!” My son and I were reflecting on some of his adventures as a teenager.

First, it was the skateboard. He was always good at improvising. We lived in the country, so he had no access to skateboard parks and found his own way to practice his skills. Our four-bedroom house has a full basement, so he got his thrills by sailing up a sheet of plywood he had propped against the high basement wall.

Across the floor and up to the ceiling he would go, circle back down, then do it over and over again. To my knowledge, he never had a spill.

Then came the trail bike. How he loved the freedom of riding in the woods, over the trails and through the fields, until one day the unthinkable happened.

The bike hit a rock and threw him headlong into an oak tree. When he regained consciousness and could walk, he staggered through the woods, not knowing where he was going. He was found by an acquaintance, who drove him home. His eyes were swollen shut, and his nose and right cheekbone were broken and cut. It took a long time for him to heal and be ready to ride again. His friend retrieved the bike and the helmet, which was destroyed beyond use. My son had started out that day without his helmet but had second thoughts and had come back for it; otherwise, this story would have had a tragic and entirely different ending.

Another day he came rushing in, panic on his face and in his voice.

The bike had caught fire in our field, and the flames were heading toward the house. There was no 911 emergency number in those days, so, hands shaking, I found the volunteer fire department’s phone number and called for help. To our relief, they arrived in time to put out the fire before the house was endangered. So ended the trail bike adventures, and not a moment too soon. My son is now a grandfather and has survived even more adventures and misadventures. The Lord has been faithful to see him safely through them all. How thankful we can be for such mercy and grace—and for guardian angels!

Lila Farrell Morgan