Thankful for First Responders

We attend a church that is attended by more elderly people than any other age. We love old people. We have a lot to learn from them. They tell amazing stories and for the most part, they seem to have lots of grace for the younger generation (certainly more grace than much of the younger generation has for them).

Occasionally during church service one of these old ones passes out. Those moments are very frightening. That happened this morning just as the congregation was about to be dismissed. Immediately phones all over the room were available to dial 911. Moments later the fire department was on the scene and the little elderly lady, Arlene, who had fainted was awake and insisting that she was okay. She was adamant that she did not want to go to the hospital. She also did not want anyone to phone her daughter.

Arlene is 94 years young and I make it a priority to speak to her every Sunday. She is precious. I plan to check in with her this week by phone to make sure she is really okay. Several months ago her 70 year old son died of cancer. He lived in Kansas, so Arlene and her daughter who lives here both flew to see him before he died and then went back again several weeks later for his memorial service.

This morning the firefighters were so wonderful. They checked all her vital signs and said she appeared to be okay. They wanted her to go to the hospital just for good measure, but she absolutely did not want to do that. The firemen explained to all of us waiting for the "all clear" words that they do not "kidnap" people to take them to the hospital.

So thank YOU to all first responders. You are HEROES!

Good night from Southern California where these two from "Funville" have had a quiet, peaceful, restful Father's Day.

Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. I phoned the florist a couple days ago to order flowers for my "Pops" who is 88 years old and my only living parent; he is my stepdad who loves me like I am really his daughter. My mom divorced him after I was married and that divorce was as crushing for me as my mom & dad's divorce when I was a preschooler. I told the florist I wanted a dozen burgundy carnations with one stargazer lily in the center and I asked the clerk to write this on the card "Happy Father's Day to My Pops! You are ONE of a KIND! I Love You!" I know that giving flowers to a man seems unusual, but I think Pops will "get" my message. I wish I could have been there when the flowers were delivered. Here is the message I wrote for Pops on his birthday back in February.