Mom vs Mountain Lion
Where I live, we have wild rabbits, skunks, possum, fox, deer, coyote, bobcats, rarely seen mountain lions, and rarely seen bears. So, this story and the next made me think I need to be more aware of my surroundings when I go for a walk.
At his home, in a residential neighborhood, a 5-year-old played outside. His mother was nearby when suddenly a mountain lion ‘tackled’ her son. She went into what I call ‘momma bear’ mode and lunged at the mountain lion, who drop the boy and skittered away.
Mom took her son to the emergency room. They treated him for cuts and scratches all over his body and a fracture near his eye.
What should you do if you see a mountain lion in your neighborhood? Do not approach (in this case, the mom reacted on impulse to get her son away from the mountain lion). Experts say you should make yourself look large and loud by raising your arms and shouting. Never turn your back on a mountain lion, walk away backwards.
Mom vs Black Bear
In the backyard of another home, in a different neighborhood, a black bear cub clambered across the back fence headed toward a birdfeeder. When the resident two-year-old saw the bear—her favorite story animal—she went outside to see the bear.
Mom, again nearby, feared the bear’s mother may be in the vicinity, ran outside, grabbed her daughter, and ran her inside like she was running for a touchdown.
What should you do if you see a bear in your neighborhood? If you know there’s a possibility of a bear sighting, carry bear spray. Experts say to remain calm. Don’t run, don’t climb a tree. Quietly back away from the bear. If the bear is aggressive, make yourself look as large and loud as possible by raising your arms and shouting. Never turn your back on a bear.
Superhuman Mom
Have you ever experienced super strength in a stress induced situation? I did, many years ago, when I worked at a convalescent hospital and needed to lift a heavy set, unresponsive woman by myself. I had no way of getting help. I’ve never forgotten the incident. This story brought back my memory.
The mother in this story knew her teenage son was outside working on his beloved Chevy Impala when the car slipped off the jack and pinned him under the car.
Mom ran to her son, yelled for a neighbor, but in her panicked state, she felt too much time had lapsed to wait a second longer. She lifted the 3,500-pound car by herself. Shortly after, the neighbor arrived to reinsert the jack and drag the boy out from under the car.
The boy stayed a couple of days in the hospital. Neurological tests showed no brain damage.
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, military moms deployed, stepmoms, moms who’ve lost a child, moms who’ve adopted, moms who foster, moms who put in the work, day in and day out—for their kiddos. You’re a heroine in my book!! I hope you enjoy your day.
Source: Psychology Today, New York Post, The Economic Times
Making a fast buck, ranch-life, reading-life, writing-life.