I really enjoy reading Stephan Pastis’s Pearls Before Swine in my daily Atlanta Journal Constitution. He always makes me smile with his hilarious writings. But, a couple of weeks ago, his cartoon was not funny, at all. Instead, it was very serious, and thankful. He wrote about the determined and courageous firefighters who were trying to save California and how he appreciated their care and persistence for his state. At the end of the cartoon, his little rat figure thanked a firefighter, and the kind soul replied that he was ‘just doing his job.’ So, I clipped that little piece of joy and delivered it, in a thank you card, to my local fire department in downtown McDonough. I did mention in the card that our pastor always lifts up first responders in her morning prayer.  I also wrote that whenever I hear a siren, I stop what I’m doing and pray for the ones rushing to help and the ones they are planning to assist and save.

  Well, Norman had another fall this morning and, after our attempts failed, I once again called 911 to ask for assistance. The kind soul got our address, including the nearest main road, and asked what was going on here and other necessary facts. In maybe ten minutes, I saw a big red truck with lights flashing pull up next to my mailbox. As usual, they were cordial, professional and very kind as they made sure he was comfortable and not injured in any way before they left. They’d actually been dispatched from a fire station in Ola, as our McDonough heroes were already out on a couple of calls. But they didn’t object or complain, they just did their job. 

  As they were leaving I thanked them, again, and then mentioned that my Dad had been a fire chief in Jackson. I gave them the Reader’s Digest version of the time he put out a burning KKK cross. The cowards in white then drove by our house, but quickly left when we started calling them by name and waving. The fact that I always recognize people’s vehicles came in handy that time.

  “Chicago Fire,” plus “911,” and other TV shows about those who serve and protect are some of my favorites. I can’t imagine being a police officer, a firefighter or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). “The Rookie” has some good moments, and it has become also become a well-watched program. I guess it’s not just me who likes watching those I admire, look up to and trust. I can still remember a customer being late to our appointment for me to help him get a mortgage. He apologized, but said he was an EMT and when he saw a wreck happen, he had to stop and help those in the vehicle. I smiled as he thanked God they were in a Volvo! I thanked him for his service and then we got to work on his mortgage paperwork. He had brought everything I requested and had actually made copies for me, but provided the originals too.  

  When I had cataract surgery, one of my kind nurses told me he too had been an EMT but needed more time at home after their family grew. I remember that the one type of applicant not required to provide a pay stub if they were changing jobs before closing date, was a nurse. I appreciate nurses too, and of course my doctors. I am very thankful for Piedmont Henry being a part of Henry County and all of the saviors they have brought us.

  So, we are truly blessed by the  many, many kind souls who protect, serve, heal and help. And, I will certainly keep praying for all our heroes in uniform. Thank you and God bless!