There is a lady who comes in our shop whom I happen to be particularly fond of. If memory serves correct, she told me she’s around 90 years old. I hadn’t seen her in a long time, and then one day, she came back in the shop and told me she knew how to get three hunky firemen into her bedroom. I immediately started laughing, although I didn’t entirely comprehend what she meant. She then proceeded to tell me she had had a heart attack (which, of course, made me stop laughing), and that she had called the fire department and thus ended up with numerous handsome firemen in her bedroom, all ready to help her get to the hospital. She is a feisty, humorous old lady, and while I admire anyone who can be tough, I especially admire people who can find humor in what essentially amounts to a bad situation.
I have never had a bunch of firemen in my bedroom, but this past week, I did have to ask the help of lifeguards (and may I just say, the ones who work at Zuma Beach in Malibu are every bit as handsome as any firemen I’ve met). I have never been so grateful for their help. I took my kids to the beach, and as usual, I was playing in the water with them. Call it the crafter in me, but I like to be playing in the water and DOING SOMETHING instead of laying on the sand doing nothing. Plus, I always feel better being closer to the kids instead of watching from the sand. The bonus to being in the water is that I usually see dolphins and am that much closer to them when they make their appearance.
However, I am very respectful of the ocean, and while I love it and can’t get enough of it, I am also very aware of its power. This particular day, the waves were powerful with strong riptide. I was being even more cautious than usual and making sure my kids stayed close to shore. Even so, a wave came in and went right over me, and as usual when that happens, I let it roll me. But as it did so, I felt a painful twist in my foot and instantly knew I was injured. When I came back up, I checked to see where my kids were, checked the next wave sets, and realized in the same instant that I couldn’t put any weight on my foot. I crawled out of the water, doing my best to hold my own against the next wave. I sat there for a few minutes breathing, assuming that once I caught my breath, I could tough it out and stand on my twisted ankle long enough to make my way back up the beach to our things. When I realized I couldn’t stand, I called my kids over and they got the attention of the lifeguards for me. Turns out, I received the attention of three lifeguards. They helped me hop on one foot to our blanket, examined my foot and took my vitals, and put a makeshift splint on my foot. I refused their offer to call me an ambulance because I didn’t want to scare my kids any further.
Turns out, I broke my ankle and will be laid up for 6 weeks. “Laid up” meaning that I have a cast and cannot put any weight on my injured foot. As you may imagine, I have some pain, and am also discouraged at being rendered helpless in one brief instant. But then I think of how good it is that it wasn’t one of my kids who got hurt, because at least I am an adult strong enough to pull myself out of the water and able to control my panic. I didn’t break my arms, so while I’m laid up, I can knit and crochet. And in a few more years, my daughter is going to really appreciate the story of how I got to have the Malibu lifeguards put their arms around me, if only for a few moments in the middle of an emergency. I am also looking forward to letting our customer know that I have now bested her and know how to get the attention of the incomparable Malibu lifeguards. 🙂
One last note, lest you all think I’m being irreverent, I do want to say thanks to all the firemen and lifeguards out there, as we never realize how much we need them until we are in a situation and in need of rescue. In such situations, we are faced with the reality that they’re the only ones trained and able to help us. I am trying to be humorous and lighthearted, but at the heart of it, I’m just very deeply grateful! If you know an emergency rescue worker, be sure to express your gratitude, as it is most definitely well-earned!
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