Summary

A baby is miraculously found safe in a snow bank after a car accident on a snowy highway, highlighting the kindness of strangers in a heartwarming immigrant family story.

Abstract

The story recounts a harrowing incident where a family's car skids off a snowy highway, leading to the baby being ejected from the vehicle. Despite the treacherous conditions and initial panic, the baby is found unharmed, wrapped in a blanket by a good Samaritan. The family, new immigrants to Canada from Uganda, are accompanied by relatives, including an uncle wearing a wig for comedic relief. The narrative underscores the warmth and support they receive from strangers following the accident, contrasting with the loneliness they felt in their new country. The story is framed within the context of the family's immigration experience, their holiday visit to grandparents, and the broader cultural backdrop of Canada's enthusiasm for hockey.

Opinions

The author conveys a sense of gratitude towards the strangers who helped the family after the accident.
The story reflects on the immigrant experience, particularly the sense of isolation and the importance of community and family support.
The inclusion of a humorous anecdote about the uncle's wig lightens the tone of an otherwise tense narrative.
The author seems to appreciate Canada's national pride and camaraderie, as exemplified by the public reaction to a hockey victory.
The narrative suggests that acts of kindness, like those experienced by the

Life

They Found A Baby In A Snow Bank

An Immigrant Story About The Kindness Of Strangers

“Mom and Me” — Pic owned by Keith Dias (blogger)

Driving Home

Our car spun out of control on the snowy highway. The passenger door flung open from the force, and I was thrown out onto the side of the road.

I was 10 months old.

My parents had been driving back home to London Ontario, after visiting my grandparents in Montreal for the Christmas holidays.

“Don’t go home today”, my grandfather had said to them. “Its not safe to drive in this weather”.

But they didn’t listen. They packed up their suitcases, and decided to drive through the snow.

Photo by Guillaume Bourdages on Unsplash

Along For The Ride

“How do I look?”, my uncle Val had asked before the trip. He was wearing my grandfather’s wig on his head.

My grandfather, who was bald, had just purchased the wig, but was too shy to actually use it.

“Ridiculous”, my cousin Giselle replied.

“Good”, he said. And he got into the back seat of the car, wearing it proudly.

They were both coming with us for this trip home. Giselle had been studying in England, and had come to Canada to keep my mom company. And Val had been living in Montreal with my grandparents, and just decided to join my dad for the trip.

My parents were new immigrants. Canada was a little lonely for them, at the time. My dad’s job had just been transferred from Uganda, and so they didn’t know very many people in this country at all. Most of their friends and family were still in Africa. So, to have the company of Giselle and uncle Val on the drive home was great.

Safety First?

In those days, they didn’t wear seat belts. In fact, on this trip, my mom sat in the front seat, without a belt on, and with me sleeping on her lap.

Did I mention she was also 3 months pregnant with my sister Melanie?

Photo by Denis Brodeur — Royalty Free — Nationalpost.com

Canadian Pride

My dad told me a story once about how, shortly after he arrived into Canada, he saw everyone hugging in the streets, and honking their car horns, and clapping and singing.

Team Canada had just won an 8 game hockey series against the Russians, and the entire country was celebrating.

He said “Wow, is this what Canada is like? — People just hug in the streets?”

The Kindess of Strangers

So, when our car skidded out of control on that snowy day, it may have been no surprise to him that many passersby stopped their vehicles to help.

Strangers gave them blankets, and helped them get to the hospital. And stayed with them to make sure they were OK.

My mom was in shock when it happened. She had just realized that she no longer had me in her arms.

“I freaked out”, she would tell me later.

She got out of the car and started frantically searching for me. She caught a glimpse of a head in the snow bank, and she started screaming.

Giselle got out of the car and raced over to the head, thinking it was me.

It wasn’t.

By that time, I was already safe and sound, and wrapped in a warm blanket by a helpful stranger.

Giselle reached into the snow bank.

“It’s Ok!”, she called out to my mom. “It’s just the wig!”

Thanks For Reading! If You Liked This Story, Consider Reading Another One By This Author:

My Parents Took Me To A Nude Beach

And They Brought My Grandparents

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