By J.R. Klassen – Regina, Sask.
In the late 1940s in my hometown of Aberdeen, Sask., about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Saskatoon, it was a hot summer’s day. The annual Sports Day was in progress. Among the games and entertainment, there were bicycle races for the kids. My friend, Allen Neufeld, and I entered one of the races.
When we started the race, we noticed a huge thunderstorm fast approaching. We finished the race, collected our prizes, and it was obvious the storm would hit at any moment, so we quickly pedalled our bikes to my home.
My father had told us that if a thunderstorm came, we had to make sure the outside antenna was disconnected from the inside radio. I unplugged it from the radio and soon the thunderstorm hit with lots of rain and lightning. We just kind of hung out inside, waiting for it to clear up.
When it appeared the storm had passed, I glanced out the window and saw the very edge of the cloud was over us, so I decided to hook up the radio to listen to some music. I’d no sooner touched to wires together when lightning hit.
The radio went flying across the room and the old easy chair I had my foot propped on fell apart at every joint. The noise was absolutely tremendous. I ran to the bedroom and laid down on the bed. I was sure I was about to die. A short time later, Allen came into the bedroom and started talking to me and I realized I was still on this earth.
Ugliest shade of black and blue
I began to check myself out. Other than a noise in my ears that sounded like a dozen church bells, I appeared to be alright, though the big toe on my left foot was the ugliest shade of black and blue I have ever seen. Thank heavens for the ground wire which had absorbed the bulk of the energy.
The three-foot-by-three-foot window where the wire entered the house was smashed to little pieces and there was a huge black scar down the side of the house. Ever since then, I have had a great respect for lightning, though I still like to watch a good storm.
As for the radio, it didn’t have a scratch on it and served us for many years after.
