The Unforgettable Childhood Accident: Learning the Hard Way
When we think back on our childhood, some of the stories we tell and share revolve around the small and sometimes cringeworthy mistakes we made. One such memory stands out vividly in my mind, a lesson learned the hard way.
Super-Bubbly Baths and a Mix-Up with Drain Cleaner
During a week-long visit to Grandma Mimi’s house, our family was treated to a luxurious experience of super-bubbly baths using fragrant bath crystals. These weren't just any bubbles, but ones that could clean you thoroughly and leave you feeling refreshed. However, the bathroom had a mix-up, and this mix-up would later prove to be a critical mistake.
For that bath, Mom was in charge of managing the batches. With ten other siblings, it was a daunting task. My older brother, Dave, was given the responsibility of overseeing the bath for the remaining siblings, including myself, as we were the last of the night. My vivid memory of those bubbles and the bathtub was blissful, but little did I know, it was about to turn into a nightmare.
The Mischief Begins
Charlie (my nickname), was around five or six years old, and I couldn't read yet. When Mom put me in the bathtub with my two younger brothers, Bill and Roy, I was blissfully unaware of the consequences of my actions. It was a dark moment when I misidentified the drain cleaner under the sink as the bath crystals, eager to create more bubbles.
As the children kicked the water to create more bubbles, my curiosity got the better of me. I poured the entire canister of drain cleaner into the bathtub, thinking more crystals meant more bubbles. Then, I dumped the empty Draino canister beside the bathtub. Little did I know, this would change everything.
The Horrible Accident
Just as I sat down, the boys started screaming. Initially, I thought it was just excitement. But then, I felt the burning sensation on my backside. The strong lye in the drain cleaner was swiftly dissolving our skin, a painful realization of the mistake I had made. Dave, noticing the situation, quickly returned to the bathroom and alerted Mom with the terrifying news.
Mom sprang into action, with my older sister, Krissy, joining us swiftly. She instructed Dave to put Bill in the toilet, while she and Krissy helped me and Roy rinse off as quickly as possible. The spray from the portable showerhead washed away much of the dangerous cleaner, but the damage was already done. My stepfather relented, moving the Draino to a safer area and ensuring better supervision of the younger children.
The Aftermath
As for me, I remember the trauma of being yanked up and hosed down. The pain was unbearable, but I also felt a sense of relief when Mom explained why I poured Draino in the bathtub, paralleling it to the fun bubbles my grandma Mimi made. The experience taught me valuable lessons in safety and parental supervision. It may have been a crazy mistake, but it surely inculcated a sense of responsibility in me.
Indeed, it was an unforgettable moment that shaped my understanding of house safety and the necessity of parental guidance. While the memory still brings a grimace, it also serves as a tale of resilience and the priceless lessons of childhood.