Jessy says: “Good Save, Papa!”

Early Christmas morning I was standing in the kitchen. I was holding my grandson Cristian in my arms, 2010 is his first Christmas. We were planning for some ‘after presents’ deli provided by my mother-in-law from Bagel Cafe.  In preparation I was talking to my wife, Cristian’s Gwamma, as she was reaching past us to grab a bowl from the cupbord. I made the move to step back to allow Stacey some more room to retrieve the bowl. I had no knowledge that right behind the back of my legs the oven door had just been opened by Cristian’s mommy, Jessy. The precise placement of the door to the back of my legs caused me to lose my balance. With the safety of my 11 month grandson in my arms complicating my peril. I made a reactionary reach for the stovetop. That was a mistake as I felt my arm starting to burn I instinctively pulled away I now felt option-less. I was going to fall, end of story. Now my sole interest is to fall in such a way that Cristian’s harm would be minimal, if possible. I moved to keep Cristian Jay above me and my back would land parallel to the open door. It worked! I may have squeezed my grandson to my chest much harder than a comfortable level. The real damage was to my emotions and the crushed oven door. The front glass on the door was shattered to bits and no one was cut. The door took the shape of my backside and to my surprise the damage does not fall under Whirlpool’s warranty specific’s. In hindsight I continued replay the what seemed like a slow-motion fall and I failed to understand how the pot of boiling water did not fall from the stove. I was certain that the two of us would spend a few days in a burn unit.  An event that shakes you up even though you are immediately comforted by my loved ones. It could easily have had a much different outcome and further solidifying my faith and belief in guardian angels. It will be a Christmas to remember. The reason I am writing this is one day and with no recollection of the incident Cristian can read my perspective of his first Christmas.