"I Thought I Was Shot"

Mom's reaction to any loud bang is an instant weakening of the knees, holding on to anything close to steady herself, and looking around to determine the source of the threat. Now, by "loud," I don't mean a sonic boom. It could be something dropped on the floor, shutting the microwave oven, or a cupboard door closing.

When she finally realizes there's no pain, no blood, and the source of the noise has been identified, she always breathlessly says with great relief, "I thought I was shot!"