Not Even Stopping to Tie Their Boots

If you have friended me on Facebook, then you already know that yesterday I had to dial 9-1-1 when sweet Ella showed signs of choking/having some sort of breathing obstruction.

(If your infant CPR/choking class was awhile ago, I encourage you to do a quick review of infant first aid for choking and CPR. How grateful I was that immediately, in the moment, I knew what to do. I assessed the situation, knew the signs that meant “Get Help!”, and wasn’t afraid to dial those horrible, yet precious, 9-1-1 numbers.)

Thankfully, Ella was FINE. But Fred said it was horrifically awful to round the corner to our street (he had left work and rushed home) to see a firetruck and ambulance in front of our home with a gurney right outside our front door. (Shudder!)

Of course, it was no picnic to be the parent home going through it all either. And now it’s 1:30AM and I am unable to sleep because the images and emotions keep rushing into my mind, flooding me with adrenaline. Again and again.

But one of the images doesn’t scare me. It just makes me tear up with gratitude …

When the firemen (who arrived in three minutes!) went to LEAVE our home—once it was clear that Ella was perfectly fine and I had signed all of the paperwork to end the ordeal—I saw them KNEEL DOWN and lace up their big work boots. It took only a minute or so, but they had obviously gotten the call, jumped into their boots, and came to our home to help us without even taking the time to lace up their boots.

I keep thinking to myself, “Those men responded as though it were THEIR DAUGHTER in distress.” Oh my, but I just can’t imagine they could have gotten here any faster or been, in any regards, more professional or gracious. I am a grateful, grateful woman.

And yes, I watched Ella’s chest go up and down with her deep breaths as she napped in the afternoon. And with every breath, I was grateful all over again.

God was so merciful to us to keep Ella safe. (Strangely, Sophie and I were BOTH right with her when whatever happened to irritate her throat got in there and caused the problem. There were definitely no obvious choking hazards anywhere near her—so my working theory is DOG HAIR. We might not have seen a little tuft. It would have caused her to gag, “choke,” open her mouth wide, sticking her tongue out, but not making any sounds … but not caused any real harm. Well, beyond scaring her mother that is!)

And those men were so great to come so quickly to help us. A true grace!

I hope your day was far less “exciting.” And I do so hope that I never, NEVER, have to dial 9-1-1 for something related to my children again. Ever.

Heading to bed yet again now—

Yours,
Tara B.