The Knockout is a true story.
The names of the players have NOT been changed to protect their identity.
“The trampoline aka the arena”
There weren’t really any corners to come out of … fighting.
This trampoline was round.
And speaking of rounds, … there was only one.
Cody was anxious to impress Grandma with his new-found skills on the trampoline that he had been practicing over and over again. Jumping faster and higher. Landing on knees and rebounding effortlessly, among the other polished skills of a five-year old with boundless energy … on a trampoline.
“Grandma, … look at this!” “Grandma, watch me!” “Grandma, see what I can do?!”
On solid ground, standing just outside the trampoline, Grandma was watching every move. After some of the moves were repeated (over and over), Grandma happened to look down or away; only for a second. Not wanting his grandma to miss a single move, Cody rushed full speed across the taut surface of the mat that provided all the “air” he could get with each running jump. This also provided the extra lift and bounce only those who have actually jumped on a trampoline could know for sure … from first hand experience!
Well, in this modern-day of safety first, there is a protective netting around the trampoline to prevent any missteps (jumps, etc.) off the mat. Knowing full well (or at least hoping and with a lot of blind faith), Cody was confident he would not leave the mat no matter how hard he lunged toward Grandma to get her attention. It was at that split second that Grandma looked away and missed seeing, head on, the fastest, hardest head butt one could imagine. It happened forehead to forehead at an un-clocked speed (of lightning)!
Down Grandma went. Out cold. Unconscious. Unaware of what just happened. Luckily DD (Grandpa) was standing just slightly behind Grandma and was able to catch her as she crumpled down before hitting the wood chips and cement patio deck.
Both Cody and Kennedy (who was also on the trampoline) were out of the protective netting and at Grandma’s side almost as fast as it all happened.
DD was trying to rouse Grandma. “Are you OK?! Grandma! Grandma! Can you hear me?!” Then the other two members of the ‘triage team’ chimed in.
The verbal expressions of concern were all running together and went something like this:
“Grandma, are you OK?!”
“She’s knocked out!”
“Is she alive?!”
“I think she’s dead.”
“Yeah, she’s probably dead.”
All this while slapping Grandma’s face and peeling her eyes open, Cody on one eye and Kennedy on the other.
“Sorry, Grandma,” Cody said sincerely.
DD was able to grab Grandma’s glasses that flew off before the jaws of the two canines were able to cart them off. He also fended the two dogs off from licking Grandma back to the living, all the while supporting Grandma from the back and keeping her from going flat down.
Grandma came to and responded within approximately 30 seconds to a minute (seemed a lot longer!):
“What happened?!”
“Why am I on the ground?”
Only to drift off again. This happened a few times. DD shouted for the kids’ dad, Brian, who was in the house and unable to hear the commotion. DD asked Cody to run and get his dad.
Cody ran in the house and then back out again and said he told his dad he hit Grandma in the head and had said he was sorry. His dad told him that it was good he said he was sorry.
Still unable to get Grandma to her feet, fending off the dogs, and trying to keep Grandma’s eyelids attached and trying to deflect repeated blows to the cheeks from Cody and Kennedy (as seen on TV), DD called the house from his cell phone to get Brian’s attention.
With caller ID showing DD and Grandma’s phone number and knowing they were at the house, Brian came out to see what was the matter. Seeing his mom was now conscious after having been KO’d by 5-year-old Cody, he could not contain his laughter, looking at the lighter side of what had just occurred!
After all was said and done, Cody offered Grandma this after-the-fact piece of advice: “Why didn’t you stand back like DD did?!”
Grandma is still feeling the effects of her ring side experience!
Signed: Grandpa aka DD aka NY
The Knockout was originally published May 07, 2009
onangelwings says
Oh my good God!
That is just too much.
I hope someone doesn’t plan on getting in the ring for a rematch anytime soon.
BTW…thank God for Gramps coming in and saving the day for a possible catastrophe.
On a lighter note, if this had been on video, you could be 10,000 richer on America’s Funniest Videos. Damn ~
Kelly says
I’m glad you’re ok. You can’t stay mad at kids even if you tried. I’m guessing you won’t be getting back on the trampoline any time soon.
cathikin says
Ouch! Bless your heart. Kelly assumed you’re okay; I hope you are. You are, aren’t you? Kudos to DD for being a hero through it all. And a flogging with a wet noodle to your son!
Peggy says
This is too funny! I am glad that Gram is ok.
My son once broke my sisters nose playing baseball.
kailani says
How scary! No wonder Grandma is having headaches! Hope everything goes well at the doctor’s on Monday! Keep us posted!
Qtpies7 says
Wow, that’s not fun.
Hope your head is better soon!
The Mom Jen says
OH NO! How scary! I hope all is well!
Brimful Curiosities says
Jeepers, that doesn’t sound good at all! Take care!
Sarah says
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry to hear that you got Knocked Out and Down! I hope your head is feeling better and that you are recovering! How scary for your grandkids, too!
Trampolines really do trample! Take it easy!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
WHAT IN THE HECK!!!!! Geez oh Pete woman!
Reesa Lewandowski says
Well kudos to you for even getting ON the thing LOL!!!! My goodness thank goodness someone was there to rescue you! What a funny story, although I am glad you are ok!
robin Rue says
Omggggg! I am so glad you’re ok! It’s crazy how quick that stuff can happen and you never see it coming.
Jennifer says
What a read! I can’t believe this story! It needs to be made into a screenplay.
Shauna says
Ha… oh my goodness, why am I on the ground? Ha! I can’t believe that happened. I am glad she is okay!
Jeanette says
Oh my goodness that’s quite a story! I hope grandma heals quickly and that the little one is OK too.
Connie says
Oh my goodness! Glad everyone ended up okay. I could totally see this happening in my world 🙂
Stacie says
Oh my goodness. Cody must have a really hard head to not knock himself out too. I’m glad everyone is okay.
Tara says
What an amazing story. It’s a good think Grandpa caught you when you fell.
Claudia Krusch says
Poor Grandma! This must have been quite the experience for her. I can remember how my kids were when they wanted our attention.
gingermommyrants says
That would have won you some cash if you had gotten it on video. I hope Grandma is all better now.
Kathy says
Oh boy! I hope that she’s doing okay now! I could so see this happening to someone in my family too.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Oh my goodness! I hope you’re ok! Glad that DD was standing near to catch her!
Lisa Collins says
OMG! This is why I’m scared to get on the trampoline with the kids! Well that, and it messes my equilibrium up! Props to grandma for even getting in lol!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
OMG, I hope you are okay! That is quite the experience.
Hali @daytodayMOMents says
Wowza, glad you’re okay!..assuming! What a clever write up!
Melodi Steinberg says
Wow! That is a wild story!
Cathi says
Oh my gosh Melodi!
David said it was like a surreal film with the littles slapping my face trying to wake me up like they surely had seen in movies.
I actually had to have an MRI (docs orders) and went along with it. I didn’t want to suddenly drop dead and have Cody left feeling like he killed Grandma. LOL!!!