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Topic: Great (07/06/06)
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TITLE: Magnificent Healer | Previous Challenge Entry
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07/13/06 -
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It was a quiet night not unlike so many that had come before. My partner and I sat at the card table in the recreation hall of the fire station. I was the lead paramedic that weekend when the call came in from a very frightened woman.
“My husband has fallen against the bathroom door,” she began to explain. “His voice is garbled and he doesn’t seem to be making any sense.”
“Please give me your address and we’ll get there as soon as we can.”
***
I can no more describe how I was feeling when I hung up the phone as I could describe the meaning of life. I can tell you this much, I was scared to my very core. My husband was lying on the bathroom floor and couldn’t help him.
“Honey, the paramedics are on their way. They should be here shortly, so hang in there, Ok?”
“Ok,” the barely audible voice of my husband said from the other side of the door.
The doorbell rang and within minutes the paramedics had my husband on the gurney, into the ambulance, and on the way to the hospital.
***
The voice of authority came from down the hallway. “What do have here,” asked the doctor. He was definitely in charge and knew exactly what to do in an emergency.
The paramedics told him the condition of their patient. “His pupils are fixed and dilated. Blood pressure is a little low but within range. Heart beat and respiration are strong and regular. His speech is slurred and incoherent.”
“Get him to radiology. I want a CAT scan done ASAP and prepare an operating room. I have an idea what this could be and I want to be prepared.” The doctor gave the orders and everyone went into action.
***
“Hi. Roger? This is Nikki calling. I just got a call from church and Sam has had a ruptured brain aneurysm.”
“Thanks, for letting me know Nikki. I really do appreciate it.” Nikki continued to give me the run down on Sam. I gave Sam’s wife a call and she was in tears. She told me that Sam was allowed visitors and I gave her the assurance I would be there that afternoon.
It was tough to see my dear friend lying in a bed with so many tubes and wires affixed to him. It had a surreal feeling and I could not grasp just what had happened. Sam was so full of life and now it appeared that that life was stolen from him by a thief in the night. I did the only thing I could think of, I prayed and I prayed some more. I offered what comfort I could to all those who knew Sam and came to visit. It was a very long evening. Before going to bed, I sent an email to all my prayer warriors explaining Sam’s condition. I nodded off to a restless slumber, worried about my friend.
***
It was Saturday morning and the air was cool despite it being a summer day in July. I was trimming the edges of the lawn as I prepared for my Saturday ritual, yard work. The routine of the day was interrupted by the ringing of the phone.
“Hello, Roger.” It was Sam’s wife Carol calling.
“Hi, Carol. How is Sam doing?” It had been six days since Sam was admitted into the hospital. I was anxious for some news but never called Carol out of respect for her wishes.
“Sam is doing very well and he says hello.”
“Wait a minute Carol. Sam is alert, recognizes his friends and family, and is talking to a relative on the phone.”
“Yea, it is truly a miracle. The doctors are amazed at his progress.” Those were the only words Carol could muster as the tears of joy began to flow.
I hung up the phone and, standing on my driveway, looked toward heaven. “You are an awesome God. You are so great and loving. My words aren’t enough to describe how grateful I am for the healing my beloved friend. I hope that a simple thank you will suffice.”
My wife, seeing I was no longer on the phone, asked who I was talking to. I didn’t even realize I was talking out loud to my heavenly Father.
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I was a bit confused when you shifted perspectives from the paramedics to the frantic wife, to narrator, to the pastor? (also a relative and friend?). Your article may be more effective if you told it totally from Carol's or from Roger's perspective. Then get into the intensity of the emotions that this sort of event can call forth. Make us feel those feelings!
One of the paragraphs I related to most was Roger's prayer vigil in the hospital room. (I've been there!)
Nice concluding thoughts.