Broken branch mishap causes guilt

It is good to be home again. We spent last week at the other end of the country babysitting the grandchildren. We did get to see our daughter and her husband for a little while but most of the time they were either working or sleeping.
Although we would liked to have seen more of the adults, the grandchildren kept us busy. We were blessed to have the bonus two kids for a few days. Nathaniel is 13 and spent most of his time in his room. He did put in the occasional appearance, mostly when his cousin, Tristan, was also there. His sister, Paige was more sociable. She joined us in carving soap and accidentally cut off the top of her duck’s head.
The youngest, five-year-old Nicholas, insisted that we make bread. Paige, Nicholas, Jacob and Emma all participated. As usual, Nicholas ate a good bit of his dough. As usual, the bread turned out fine in spite of some very creative kneading.
Paige left after the first couple of days to attend Bible school or church camp, I’m not sure which. Cousin Tristan demonstrated his ability to do flips on the trampoline. He was phenomenal up until his last flip when his pants slid down around his ankles. His face was as red as his hair when that happened. Thank goodness he wore underwear.
The rest of the smaller children also attempted flips. Only seven-year-old Jacob had any luck. Nicholas and Emma tried, but Tristan was clearly the best of the bunch at tricks.
Nicholas grabbed a branch and swung off the edge of the trampoline. Then Jacob did the same. Nicholas wanted me to hold him up so he could swing on Jacob’s branch. At first I resisted, then stupidity took over and I lifted him up. I thought it would be OK since Jacob is heavier than Nicholas. I was wrong.
The branch broke. Nicholas fell. His wrist suffered a buckle fracture. I am still overcome by guilt even though I am the only one who blames me. His mom wrapped his arm and applied ice. Later she took him to the emergency room where he received a temporary cast. A couple days later they applied a removable, permanent cast that he will wear for the next month or so. He says he will keep the cast forever.
Once Tristan and Nathaniel were returned to their respective mothers, the nagging to go to the creek began. Most days we gave in. The first couple of times the creek bed was dry. This did not stop the young explorers. They unearthed all kinds of treasures, otherwise known as junk, shells and frogs.
After two days of rain, the creek finally had water in most spots. It was so deep that it was almost up to Nicholas’ knees. They were ecstatic that we let them go further back than they ever had.
Nicholas brought home a wild elephant ear plant complete with roots. We planted it and gave it a drink. I told him to make sure to keep it watered. Later, when they were swimming, Nicholas ran into the house and shouted, “Grandma! My plant needs water. Now! Water it for me!” Of course, I did. I don’t think the plant will live but there’s always a chance,
The kids went back to swimming. Then they decided there was a crocodile, a shark and a snake in the pool. The boys climbed on the ladder which was in the middle of the pool and screamed for help. Emma tried to tell them they were imagining things but they didn’t believe her. They didn’t believe me either, so I left them there surrounded by evil, child-eating snakes, crocs and sharks.
The kids all survived the pool and the various other adventures. We left early yesterday morning and are now back in our own home. Gracie, the calico cat, was glad to see us. We are happy to be home again.
But we miss small children and I still feel the lingering guilt at lifting Nicholas onto a branch that broke under his weight.