As any new parent will tell you, "I'd protect my child, regardless of my own well being." Well, naturally. But I think in every parent (and perhaps every person) there is a small shred of doubt that, come a crisis, "Would I do the right thing?"

Well, today I got my answer.

As me and Moriah's grandpa and aunt were taking her for a stroll, we made our rounds to the front of the complex. As grandpa and auntie spoke with the landscaper, Moriah and me toddled off a few more yards. Being fifteen months old, she is quite the toddler. Literally.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash and all the telephone poles started to creak and sway. I heard wires snapping and immediately swept Moriah up in my arms and ran and hit the dirt and took cover.

Well, I wish it were dirt. I actually dove into a concrete pathway between the fences. Needless to say, it was a bit messy. It could have been worse mind you, but wow, do I hurt.

Once things calmed down, I got up and surveyed the situation. A moving or delivery truck had struck a telephone pole a block away (and pretty much snapped it off at the base) and the impact (and weight of the pole) started bringing down wires. Right next to where we had been standing was a live wire across some parked cars. I was actually more concerned with snapping guide wires whipping around and telephone poles falling and hadn't considered electricity.

Actually, all that really occurred to me was get Moriah up, get her tucked under me (in case something was coming, I would take the brunt), get to cover (between the fences ... so I don't take THAT much brunt), and as I dove into the concrete, my thought were "keep her up off the ground, don't let her hit".

And I did.

But had I thought a little quicker, I could have turned sideways and taken the hit on some more fleshy parts (legs, shoulder, love handles ... God knows I need those scraped off). Instead my knees, tummy, and elbows took the impact.

We all collected ourselves and as people started streaming out from the surrounding houses I got us dusted off and limped back to the house. Moriah was very visibly shaken, but a quick inventory showed no bumps or bruises. I got her calmed down with a bit of song and bottle combo and she eventually had a nap.

I got myself cleaned up and settled in for a night of no power. Mommy got home and after I told her the story she told me "Well of course. I never had any doubt that you would protect Moriah, no matter what." Well, it's good to know that now we both don't have any doubt.

All in all, it wasn't the end of the world, but it at least let me put a check in the box next to one of the many fears all parents have. One down, infinity to go.

P.S. Ouch.