E.T. Memories

Way back in 1982 this was my favorite film. This post comes about because we recently rented the movie and showed it to our kids for the first time. They loved it. And as I watched it I was reminded of one of the most vivid memories of my life.

Now to my story, at least this is how I remember it...........

I was in Utah visiting family for Christmas and at that time I suffered the first of many detached retinas. I was in the hospital either just before or just after Christmas.

My aunt's mother-in-law, Grandma Kariya, was going to take all of us to the theater to see E.T. I was devastated that I wasn't able to go, but she was so kind and went out of her way to bring me an E.T. t-shirt in the hospital shortly before or after my surgery. I was very grateful and very proud of my t-shirt.

Back home in Wyoming a few months later my family had decided to go to "visit" a family on Sunday that we were friends with. I had decided to wear my favorite t-shirt, E.T. and I think I remember my mom telling me that it would get dirty if I wore it to their house.

When we arrived at my friend's house, my best friend, Boyd, and I and his cousin went out back to play "Army". I was the lookout as they navigated their way through the garden (jungle) to base. I was stationed on top of a work shed with a baseball bat as my sniper rifle.

Suddenly I saw some action in the garden and knew my comrades were in trouble. I jumped up and started to fire my weapon. In doing so and exposing myself to the enemy I was hit by enemy fire and fell off the top of the shed. (I was actually too close to the edge, slipped and fell off)

I remember falling to the ground head first and landing on a board with a nail, which went up through the bridge of my nose. (I still have the scar) I remember laying there in pain unable to scream or cry. Everything around me was vibrating violently. I was able to make out the faint cries of my friend calling inside for help.

Everything was moving so fast and so slow at the same time. There was a discussion between parents as to whether they should call an ambulance or not. They chose not, which after the following description I'm sure they regret. I was loaded into the back of their light blue 1970s Ford stationwagon, one where the seats folded down. As we were driving I began throwing up and throwing up blood as my dad held me in his arms and tried to keep me still and calm.

From that point....I dont remember much until we got to the hospital. I was placed on a table and nurses seemed to swarm me asking me what hurt, where it hurt, how many fingers, lights, probes.......then I saw scissors......to cut my E.T. shirt off. My favorite shirt. I cried and pleaded for them to let me take it off myself instead of them cutting it off. I lost that battle and I lost my E.T. shirt......forever.

In the end, I suffered a fractured skull, concussion, broken wrist....and apparently I have carried with me the emotional pain of losing something so special and sentimental.