I got that paniced phone call from my grandfather. Coming up on 30 years ago this year, I can still hear it like it was minutes ago.

I cannot imagine experiencing that Black92LX! I thank you for your service.

quote:

Originally posted by Ero:
Black,
If I were the elderly gentleman, it would have been comforting to know someone who cared was supporting my wife. Thank you for your compassion.

Dan

This says it all. Take comfort in the fact that you were there and could at least help her in her greatest time of need! I know it is tough. Had to stand strong for my wife's family when her dad passed away in his mid 60s. Could not take time to grieve for him.

Maybe I'm calloused but your last call could have been a lot worse.

It sounds like it was simply the cycle of life you attended and you gave someone the gift of helping them in their hour of need.

I had a similar situation when I was doing hospital rotations for medic school. 45 year old male had an unwitnessed cardiac arrest while shoveling snow. Two off duty firefighters on their way home found him lying in the driveway and started CPR. I was the one pumping on his chest when the doctor told his wife, who was kneeling at the bedside that there was nothing more that we could do, and he turned to me and told me to stop.

One thing that you absolutely need to do, if you feel any bit of need to, is to talk about it. Whether it be with us, as you're doing now, or your family, friends, coworkers, etc. Don't keep it bottled in, that's what destroys us.

Sometimes I think so many of us forgot what those who answer calls such as these face day to day...thank you Black and all those who serve, protect and answer those calls, for what you do and what you sacrifice every day.

Black, thanks for being there and caring. People like you are what holds this world together. Prayer sent to help carry this burden.

You were there for someone, when needed the most.

Thank you, for what you do.

Black,

Thank you for what you did. While it may not bring comfort to you at this time, you provided comfort to someone in need.

I have said this before, I have enjoyed watching you grow up in to the young man, Father, and Husband you have become.

You are a good man.

Thank you for doing the job that many cannot do. For what you do, you make the world a safer and better place to live.

My God Bless you for that and again I Thank You.

In my mid-20's I had 2 young boys and wife (now ex) who was an intern. One Saturday morning I loaded the boys up and we headed out to go check on my mother and spend some time with her as we usually did every Saturday. I had called her on Friday and she didn't answer, but I didn't think anything about it.

We pulled up and the storm door was locked and she didn't come to the door when I knocked. I had a bad feeling and told the boys to wait for me in the car. I found an unlocked window and climbed thru and found her dead on the floor in her bedroom.

I was in shock and pretty much a mess.

I tell this story because I called 911 and an officer was the first to respond and he really helped me out and provided some much needed compassion and calming. I never got his name or saw him again, but his presence was a real blessing and I wish I had the chance to tell him how much I appreciated his kindness and compassion. You may not ever see that woman again, but I'm sure she appreciates you more than you will ever know.

Thank you for being there for her in probably the worst moment in her life.

Black, I cannot offer the comfort that you may need, but your compassion speaks volumes about who you are as a man. Take solace in that fact.

I've been on the other end of that call. Thanks for being there to hold her when she needed it.

Sad for you that you had to wrap up your last shift of the year with a call like that. Fortunate for them you were there to answer it. Thanks for all you do.

Black

a very tough call but I am glad you were there for her - she needed someone and you were it

a good choice I think

I remember watching my friend at the fire department die when I was about 16 - I won't forget Paul Collier. You won'r forget her.

God bless you for being there when she needed it. You were as an angel to her. To do that despite how difficult it was for you is an act of supreme kindness and compassion.

I cannot express in words my gratitude for people like you who serve others as you do. The difficult things you deal with day after day allow the rest of us to live in peace.

Thank you for what you did and for what you do. Praying for you and yours as well as the family that made the call. May God bless you.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Maybe I'm calloused but your last call could have been a lot worse.

It sounds like it was simply the cycle of life you attended and you gave someone the gift of helping them in their hour of need.

Certainly could have been worse, I have been to far worse, and will go to far worse many times in the future.
Simple cycle of life or not it does not make this one a easy way to end the year.

You are one of the good guys. Thank you Black.

God put you there for a reason...

...and I think you know why.