This year's Love Story Contest had all the write stuff

By BARB SHAFFER

Society/Features Editor

I have to be honest with you. I wasn’t completely confident that this year’s Love Story Contest was going to go over as well as it has in the past. You have to admit, the mental image that an automobile accident etches in one’s mind hardly lends itself to romance.

But years ago I was told by a former Vindy columnist — in response to my compliment regarding a particularly entertaining column — that she had the best success when she stuck to the adage “Write what you know.” Predictably, it’s something that often made her family members cringe.

So, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing with our contests.

Then, when this year rolled around, I realized that I’m fresh out of loved ones whose relationships conquered the test of time or blossomed from heartbreak to soul mates. I was faced with the fact that my remaining circle of family and friends offered no possibilities that were romance-novel worthy.

I sensed their collective sigh of relief.

But it would take more than a dry well to discourage this romantic. So, just because it’s something I know, this former E.M.T. who’s now too O.L.D. challenged this year’s contestants with turning the unlikely storyline of a car crash into a happy ending.

As it turns out, it’s what a lot of you folks know, too!

We weren’t looking for skilled writing, nor were we expecting technical correctness in the details of a rescue operation. However, we got both! Our judges were faced with sorting through an impressive level of writing with oftentimes dead-on details that surround the scene of an accident.

That told us two things. First, a very talented portion of our readership with obvious ties to rescue work came out of the woodwork for this one. Not only did their accuracy give them away, but their passion showed between the lines. Secondly, there is another bunch of very committed contestants — we recognized a good number of them from previous contests — who took this challenge seriously enough to do an incredible amount of homework before putting pen to paper. OK, fingers to keyboard.

And, by the 5 p.m. Feb. 3 deadline, these are the three that stood out from the 73 others, based on the only thing we were really looking for — a clever happy ending that simply made us smile.

Once you’ve read them, we want you to continue reading. You’ll find a few of the other entries that made this year’s judging so difficult.

After the runners-up you’ll find two submissions too special to ignore. The first is a story titled “Wake Up Call.” It was sent to us by Hillary Yocum of Ravenna, formerly of Salem. It’s a story she wrote about her experiences as the wife of a firefighter. It will surely strike a chord with anyone whose daily life deals with loving someone who risks their own life to help others.

Then, check out the entry we received from Catalina Currier. (She’s the daughter of our second-place winner, Zach.) We’re sure you’ll agree. It’s pretty darn good for a 13-year-old! Look out next year, Dad!

First, the beginning of the love story:

THE ACCIDENTAL ENCOUNTER

The fire and medical personnel assigned to Engine Co. 912's Fire and Rescue Squad were enjoying an unusually quiet New Year's Eve playing cards, watching TV and chowing down on pizza.

Suddenly the alarm blared, sending them all to their respective lockers to grab their turnout gear while waiting for the county dispatcher to announce the nature of the call and directions to the scene.

"Car vs. tree ... with entrapment" could be heard over the station loudspeaker.

"See, I told ya," yelled Tim Hunter, a 12-year veteran on the squad, referring to his comment earlier that evening about the likelihood of a motor vehicle accident resulting from the predictable drunken driving this night would bring.

First out the door was Rescue Unit 8, the station's combination fire-rescue truck. The six firefighters seated in the truck's extended cab could be overheard reciting the routine they had practiced during numerous training sessions for operating the Hurst Jaws of Life, the squad's newest piece of rescue equipment.

Next out were Rescue Units 9 and 10, the station ambulances, each staffed with one EMT, responsible for administering basic life support, and one paramedic, to deliver the advanced life support required for treating cases such as the severe trauma often resulting from MVAs.

In the lead ambulance, Hunter readied himself with the equipment most likely to be needed at the scene of the accident. He considered the mechanism of injury — a head-on collision, according to dispatch — and determined he would need to be prepared for head, neck and chest injuries associated with blunt-force impact.

He threw a quick glance toward the gurney to make sure everything he might need was already strapped on. KED Vest and cervical collar to stabilize the victim's spine during extrication. Check. Sandbags attached to the backboard for further stabilization during transfer to the gurney. Check.

Another quick check assured him his jump bag had all of the necessary supplies to take inside the car with him to administer oxygen, start an IV and apply trauma dressings.

He checked his watch and figured four of the five minutes of the ETA had passed.

He yelled through the small window in the panel separating the driver and patient compartments, asking for an update from dispatch.

That's when he learned the vehicle had a single occupant. That's also when he noticed the strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Butterflies? Oh for crying out loud! Certainly not! Despite this being his first call since receiving his paramedic certification last week, he had been on hundreds of similar calls in the role of an EMT. Granted, he had never called the shots as the senior crew member like he would be doing for the first time tonight as the "newbie" paramedic, but he remained certain it wasn't a confidence issue.

More likely, it was the argument he had with Beth prior to leaving her apartment to report for his shift.

She was having trouble dealing with the fact that he had to work tonight instead of taking her to the New Year's Eve party. Why was she having such a hard time understanding that this wasn't a matter of choosing work over her? Why was she failing the first test since she insisted she understood the demands of his career when he proposed to her on Christmas Eve?

His mental replay of that heated exchange was interrupted when the back doors swung open and two firefighters released the gurney and pulled it from the "bus." That was Tim's cue to exit from the side door.

As he jumped out, he got his first view of the wreckage and its occupant. ...

AND HERE ARE THIS YEAR'S WINNERS:

(Entries are unedited)

FIRST PLACE:

AIMEE MORRISON

of Boardman

As he jumped out, he got his first view of the wreckage but it wasn’t what he expected or ever experienced as an EMT. It was Beth’s car indeed but it was not “car versus tree.” There was no accident, no wreck, no one in need of the Hurst Jaws of life! Hunter looked around to the sneering faces of the men on Engine 912’s Fire and Rescue Squad. “I thought the announcer said ‘Entrapment,’” Hunter admitted aloud. “It is as far as I’m concerned,” another fireman laughed! “It’s your wedding day.”

Beth was dressed in a long, white, organza gown, fancy even for New Years Eve. There was a trellised archway decorated with twinkle lights and miniature roses, a priest in vestments, and a line-up of ushers in their firemen uniforms for his wedding day … or night as it turned out. As a true squadron leader, he questioned what would happen if a real emergency call came in. The guys assured him that they cashed in every favor or obligation owed and got the “newbies” to fill in at the station. Hunter should have been suspicious when all of his buddies ended up on the same shift, especially on a holiday. When he questioned it, they rambled on about “over-time and time and a half.”

When Hunter proposed to Beth he suggested they elope for a quiet ceremony but she flatly refused, going on about a dress, flowers, photographers, and registry lists. Adding up those costs in his head was the reason he volunteered for an extra shift in the first place. “This way we both get what we want,” said Beth. I planned a ceremony with immediate family and intimate friends, complete with a fire-rescue truck! And you didn’t have to pick out china patterns and meet with wedding planners. I don’t consider it entrapment though!” she flashed a sinister, evil eye towards the row of ushers. Hunter, now with butterflies of a different kind, kissed her hand to offer his approval since words seemed out of reach. “Don’t worry Hunter, we have paramedics and a gurney if you faint,” teased one of the guys from Rescue 8.

Hunter and Beth exchanged vows shortly after the stroke of midnight. The fireworks and bottle rockets way off in the distant sky seemed to be timed just to congratulate them. But the celebrating was cut short when over the truck’s radios the dispatcher announced, “All available units needed for a multiple vehicle collision.” This one wasn’t a set up; sounds of sirens overpowered the small quintet playing for the small wedding party assembled. Hunter flashed a look at his new bride. Would she fail the first test as husband and wife? “Go,” she said! The honeymoon would have to wait; she understood the demand of his career after all.

SECOND PLACE

ZACH CURRIER

of Boardman

He paused and took a deep breath; then got to work. The occupant was unconscious and bleeding profusely from the head. Tim jumped into the car from the passenger’s side, threw his medical bag on the seat, and fought with the inflated air bag to get to the occupant.

He spoke out loud for everyone to hear, “We have an elderly woman, approximately 50 years of age, unconscious, pulse is strong.” Tim placed the cervical collar around the lady’s neck.

Meanwhile, the firefighters around him worked diligently to remove the roof of the car. He could hear the Jaws of Life tearing metal and breaking glass.

Tim remained focused so that his first call as a paramedic would not end in a tragedy. He worked with the firefighters to remove the steering wheel and make room for a stretcher to carefully extract the woman.

As Tim worked, he started to notice things in the vehicle. A math book, crayons and even homemade Valentines cards scattered all over. He found the woman’s handbag and checked for any medication and identification. The identification read Karen Bradley.

It was at this time, Tim realized it was Mrs. Bradley, his and everyone’s beloved third grade teacher. In a small town like Tim’s, he knew he would be saving the lives of people he knew but he did not know how it would feel and react until now. She was one of those teachers who was loved by all and impacted everyone in some way.

Tim, more determined than ever, focused on his work.

Tim yelled “We’re ready to move her. On the count of three. One…, Two…, Three...Move!” Tim and other firefighters lifted at the same time.

After being placed on a stretcher he noticed a broken leg and a six inch laceration to the forehead. Blood pressure was 62 over 100. After she was secured in the ambulance, he started an IV and oxygen. He radioed information to dispatch and directed them to notify St. Elizabeth’s hospital they were five minutes out.

Tim remembered he left his medical bag in the wreckage. He quickly jumped out of the ambulance grabbed the bag and jumped back in.

As the ambulance was speeding towards the hospital, Tim noticed one of the handmade Valentines cards had fallen into his bag. He pulled it out and read it. “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; ……. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13”

Tim sat back in his seat, and remembered 23 years ago in the third grade reading the same words.

Mrs. Bradley had hand written the same thing in every one of her student’s cards every year for the last 35 years. It was at this time Tim realized how many people Mrs. Bradley must have impacted in one way or another.

Tim grabbed a syringe from his bag, broke off the needle and pinned the card to her blouse.

His reflection was broken when the driver called back and said “We’re 30 seconds out.” Then out of nowhere Mrs. Bradley’s condition worsened. Her heart rate and blood pressure dropped.

Tim started prepping for a defibrillator when the back doors swung open and the hospital staff started to assist. Tim relayed the pertinent information and allowed the hospital staff do what they do best.

After the completion of his 12 hour shift, filling out the paperwork, and reminiscing, he knew he would now have to go home to his fiancé and try to get her to understand the commitment he made to his job and the commitment to her when he proposed.

As Tim opened the door, Beth was standing there waiting for him. She leaped forward and gave him a big hug and a kiss and would not let go.

Stunned, Tim asked “What changed.”

Beth explained to Tim, after he went to work instead of going to the party, the hospital called and indicated there was a shortage of nurses and asked if she could work. Since she was dateless, she agreed.

“It was very quiet night until we had an emergency call,” she said. Then she pulled the same handmade Valentine card out of her pocket and whispered “I Love You”.

THIRD PLACE

Nancy Grabowski

of Poland

As he jumped out, he got his first glimpse of the wreckage and its occupant. The passenger side of the Honda civic resembled an accordion as it was pressed against the giant tree. Yet the driver’s side was not nearly as crumpled. Tim could see the head of the driver resting on the steering wheel…a head of thick red hair. Tim yanked at the door. It was stuck, but the shattered window allowed him to reach in and palpate a pulse. At his touch the man lifted his head with a moan.

“Peter!” cried Tim, confirming his fear that this was indeed the man who lived 3 doors down from Beth.

Peter’s eyes opened, he moaned, “Roscoe”.

“Peter, I’m Tim. You know me. Where are you hurt?” It was obvious that there was a large gash on his forehead, streaming blood into his eyes, and his right arm was bent at an unnatural angle.

“I will be ok. I will be ok,” he croaked, “but you must help Roscoe. We can’t lose Roscoe!”

Then Tim remembered. Peter was the father of a beautiful autistic daughter, Rose, about 10 years old. She had been having a difficult time the last year, until they acquired a golden retriever as her companion. Since the arrival of the dog she had been much calmer. And Beth had been instrumental in training the dog at her kennel! It was then he became aware of the soft whimper coming from the backseat, and saw the prostrate form of reddish brown fur.

“We need to get both these doors open now!” shouted Tim. The crew went to work to wrench apart the twisted metal and free the driver. As his men immobilized the man, Tim bent close and asked, “Why did you have Roscoe with you?”

“Going to the Vet…emergency clinic….ate something bad and needs immediate treatment. Help her, Tim. She can’t die! My daughter….” Peter closed his eyes, catching his breath. “She loves that dog. Help him! Vet is waiting. I am ok.”

Tim sat back on his heels. What now? His responsibility is to save people, not pets!

But Rose was a person too, and he could help her….by helping Roscoe.

Unit 10 had Peter in the back of the squad car and ready to roll. They motioned to Tim to get on board.

“You guys go ahead. His injuries don’t appear to be life threatening. I’ll be along in Unit 9. St. Martin’s ER is only minutes away.” With that the crew left, sirens wailing.

By now the back seat was accessible and Tim lifted the limp animal onto the gurney from Unit 9.

“What are you doing? “ queried the remaining #9 crew members.

“I know this is crazy, but we are taking this patient to the veterinary ER on Clermont Ave. I will take full responsibility for this. Let’s go!”

Seven minutes later they rolled into the vet emergency clinic. An elderly vet met them at the door and whisked Roscoe into a bay, as technicians started treatment.

“I can’t believe you did this”, said the vet, “ but thank you. This dog surly would have died in the next hour without treatment. And her owner would have had a terrible setback”.

Sitting in the back of the squad on the ride back to the station, Tim pulled out his phone. He needed to call Beth and inform her of the accident. By now the police would have been to Peter’s home, and someone would need to stay with Rose while her mother went to the hospital.

The phone only rang once before Beth picked up. “Tim! I heard the news, I’m with Rose now. Will Peter be ok?”

“He needs to be checked thoroughly in the hospital, but I think he will do ok. As for Roscoe…I don’t know enough right now”.

“Only you would have known how important Roscoe was, and had the courage to take care of him as you did. The vet already called and said he was stable. Now I’m so glad you were on duty tonight, and that I was home and able to come and be with Rose. I love you.”

Yes, love. So universal. Whether between a man and woman, a father and daughter, a child and a dog, it is love that motivates us to take risks, teaches us understanding, and gives us all a reason for living.

OUR RUNNERS-UP:

MARTHA WEIRICK

Assessing the scene, relieved it wasn’t Beth, Tim initiated his orders.

At his command, the unit sprang into action. An older gentleman slumped over the steering wheel still secured by his seat belt which probably saved his life. The vehicle appeared to have lost control at the roads sharp curve – a section notorious for accidents – stopped only by a broad old oak. “When’s the County going to do something about this section of road?” he asked no one in particular. “This makes three in the last four months,” he added. The scene resembled organized chaos; it wasn’t long before the unit had the door of the mangled Chrysler open.

Tim drifted into auto pilot, his butterflies long forgotten. “Sir, can you hear me?” Thankfully, the victim had a pulse and regaining consciousness, “I’m having chest pains,” he said. “My name is Tim and I’m here to help you.” Minutes later, the victim was stabilized and ready for transport.

At two minutes before midnight Tim called into dispatch, “Rescue 8 cleared at 23:58.”

“Copy Rescue 8 and, Tim, Happy New Year.”

The following afternoon, Beth made her displeasure painfully clear from the silent treatment Tim was receiving. Her foul mood continued the next day. He’d hoped by now she’d rethink her emotional state understanding he had no choice, his career came before her social calendar.

Reaching for her as she passed nearby, “Beth, are you going to be angry with me much longer?” he teased. Wrong move, he realized.

She spun around, exploding. Her usually pretty face taut in anger, “It was embarrassing! I was the only person without a date!” Her pitch high, “You just don’t get it!”

His annoyance peaked. “Don’t be obtuse,” his voice demonstrating his exasperation, “It was just a party, Beth. I had to work!”

Just a party! It was NEW YEARS EVE!” she yelled. “It comes down to priorities Tim. I know where I rank on your list.”

For the first time since he proposed, Tim found himself doubting his feelings for Beth.

Tim took several moments to calm himself. Common sense prevailed finally and he took his leave mumbling, “I’ll call you later.”

The next day Tim walked out of her apartment, the engagement ring tucked in his shirt pocket.

Nearly six weeks later, Tim sat at his desk, finishing some paperwork. “Dude, there’s someone here to see you.” Ralph popped his head into the office; in between bites of a glazed donut he added teasing. “She brought flowers.”

Beth must have come to her senses, he theorized, walking towards the front office. Surprising she’d come here, since she hadn’t returned any of my calls.

Whoever she was, it wasn’t Beth and she was a beauty. Her gleaming chestnut hair hung to her shoulders in curls. Early twenties, he guessed. She was slender and tall – very tall – at least five eight, he surmised.

“Looking for me?”

“Tim Hunter?”

“That’s me.” He smiled into the soft brown eyes.

“Nichole Davis,” shaking his hand. “I wanted to thank you personally for saving my father’s life New Year’s Eve. The hospital said if it wasn’t for you, dad may not have made it.”

“She handed him the flowers. “Thanks. How is he?”

“It was a mild heart attack, if there is such a thing, and his leg is mending.” She added, “The doctors said he’ll be in a walking cast soon.”

Her smile reminded him of sunlight.

“Dad wanted to come, but is still on total bed rest.” She handed Tim a folded paper, “Our address. It would mean so much to my father if you could stop by so he could thank you himself.”

“Tell your dad I’ll be there Friday around 4.”

At 3:59 on Friday, Tim pulled up to the house and looked at the address on the paper one more time. “Wow, nice place.”

Nichole opened the door before he could ring the bell. “Hi!”

She was even prettier than he remembered.

“He’s waiting for you in his bedroom, this way.”

Tim took a liking to Harold Davis instantly, a larger than life character, he concluded.

The owner of a brokerage firm, he was bright as heck and had a great sense of humor. He was witty and smart and his daughter a chip off the old block.

Three hours later, Tim left the Davis house two friends’ richer and feeling great. Smiling, he was looking forward to his date with Nicole next Saturday, which just so happened to be Valentine’s Day.

LAVERNE PROKOP

As he jumped out, he got his first view of the wreckage and its occupant. It was bad. He got that feeling again, his stomach turned over.

Grabbing his needed equipment, Tim moved forward to do the important job of trying his best to help the trapped person inside the smashed vehicle. With some guilt, he breathed easier thinking of Beth home safe.

The victim was a young soldier of the United States Army. His adrenaline was high, but he went quickly, but calmly, through his life saving protocol on the badly bleeding victim and then the young soldier was transferred to the gurney. Accidents always brought back haunting memories of September 11, 2001 when he was on a Fire and Rescue team in New York City.

Tim did everything his training had taught him to stop the bleeding. Arriving at the hospital, the nurses and the doctors were ready for this young man. Then Tim and his team had hot coffee and tried to relax which is always impossible.

Suddenly a nurse came out of the ER saying they needed an immediate donor of a rare blood type that Tim knew that he had. He pondered and pondered, should he? Why not. Who knows what this soldier had done for his country, for him, and for his future family.

He volunteered, walking down the corridor towards the ER and quickly phoned Beth. The line was busy, but at least he knew she was safely home. In surgery, they proceeded to take his rare blood. Those memories returned, he had done this before.

The procedure was completed and the young man named Ed is stabilized. Tim was exhausted from what went on this New Year’s Eve. He was so exhausted, that he just passed out. He doesn’t know how long he slept, but it was daylight when he awoke.

He looked around the room and there was Beth sitting next to his bed crying. Besides apologizing for her actions the night before and thanking so much for saving her brother Ed’s life. He had just arrived home from Afghanistan to surprise is Mom and Dad and, of course, his sister Beth.

She and her family gathered around him, hugging him and, again, thanking him for what he did for their beloved Eddie. They had come from his hospital room knowing that their loved one was stable and would be alright. Beth was so proud of Tim and realized how important his job was to him. She had been studying to become nurse and now considered joining the trauma team of the Fire and Rescue Squad.

Tim smiled at her, thinking, I love her so much. As soon as the family left his room, Tim asked Beth to marry him. She admiringly looked at him with her beautiful eyes and said yes. Yes, I love you with all my heart and we will be a team!

They kissed and wished each other a Happy New Year and also celebrated the survival and homecoming her brother, Ed.

Plans are for a Valentine’s wedding with Ed as Tim’s Best Man.

IRENE SANTON

The scene was nothing Tim or the others hadn’t seen before and they moved quickly to make an initial assessment.

The occupant had not put on his seat belt because his body had been pushed to the back seat. He was bleeding profusely from a nasty looking head wound. He was not responding to certain stimuli and his breathing was shallow.

The Jaws of Life crew went into action and extricated him carefully from the wreckage. During the process, the occupant had a seizure and stopped breathing. Tim’s team wasted no time using their advanced life support skills working quickly and efficiently.

He responded within minutes and the KED vest and cervical collar were applied.

Immediately, they were hospital bound with the siren blaring as they sped through the city streets. Tim phoned the trauma team physician with a report and the extent of the injuries as much as he could determine.

The occupant was identified as Jack Brewster. Tim remembered him from high school. He had quarterbacked the football team and was BMOC at the time. In fact, he recalled that Beth had dated him for a short time. Upon arrival at the hospital, the trauma team was waiting and they took over.

Back at the station Tim phoned Beth but she did not answer. He left a message. He wanted to talk to her--a text message would not do. Right then, he didn’t like the feeling he was having. There was alot of stress associated with his job and he could do without the distracting issues, especially now that he had new job responsibilities. They had an understanding about the demands of his job--he thought.

Thinking that she too, may be stressed a little from her new job at the township newspaper, he decided to calm down. He had just been through a stressful situation.

Over the next week Tim and Beth had a few straight forward talks that resettled job issues and all seemed settled until Tim happened to see Beth’s car in the hospital parking lot. He though Beth had seemed upset when Jack’s accident was reported on TV. His mind ruminated about it almost every day wondering if Beth had visited Jack. But could he just let it alone until she offered a reason for being at the hospital?

And then a co-worker told him that he had seen Beth exiting the hospital on another day. She never mentioned her reason for being at the hospital even when he dropped hints during some of their conversations.

No matter how hard it was, he would not ask her.

He didn’t care if she visited Jack. He just didn’t want her to keep it a secret—if there was a secret.

When Valentine’s Day rolled around, Tim bought the usual roses and chocolates hoping she would not continue to keep “the secret”. As he drove to Beth’s apartment, all sorts of thoughts ran through his mind. Primarily for him, it was the status of their engagement. He signed heavily.

Once inside, they exchanged gifts followed by hugs, kisses and thank yous. After arranging the roses in a vase, Beth sat next to him and said she had a surprise for him. It seemed that she heard that, Jack Brewster, after weeks in the hospital rehab unit, wanted to tell his story about a Near Death Experience. It occurred during the time that Tim’s team was working on him.

She got the assignment to interview him and the story was to be featured in the newspaper with her byline. She hadn’t said anything about it until she was sure it would get into the paper.

She went on and on talking excitedly about her experience and the story and what a learning experience it was for her. She continued that Jack believed that whether the NDE was spiritual or physiologic, that it was a “life changing encounter.” She continued that Jack had much to say, especially that he had gained new insight about many things as a result.

New insight? Tim thought, yes, very much so.

REBECCA GUERRIERO

Across town Beth Crawford was silently chastising herself for the argument she had with Tim earlier that day. Damn, she thought to herself, why had she come down so hard on him about New Year’s Eve?

She loved Tim so much that sometimes it made her insecure. He was unlike anyone Beth had ever know, kind, generous and genuinely caring about other people. Tim also loved to laugh and have fun and their times together always seemed to pass to quickly. She had been overjoyed when he had asked her to marry him.

Vowing to herself to make it up to him she picked up the phone to call her best friend Jill. Beth knew that Jill would be alone this New Year’s Eve too as her husband Paul was currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Jill Astor was curled up on the couch thinking about a New Year’s Eve five years earlier when Paul had proposed to her. They were skiing and she had just wiped out for the third time when Paul pulled her up, drew her close and said. “God your beautiful with that red nose and watery eyes, will you marry me Jillybean?”

Jill smiled at this memory as she picked up the phone and heard Beth say “Hey girl, Tim’s got the night shift and Paul isn’t due home for a few more weeks, how about you and I rent a copy of An Affair to Remember and watch Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr fall in love. I could really use a good cry.” “Me too, Jill replied, I’ll make the popcorn and you get the movie”.

At the accident Tim’s eyes moved quickly over the scene noting the skid marks on the highway before the car had veered left and hit the tree. As his crew worked to remove the roof of the car Tim could see that the air bag had deployed and the driver was unconscious. With the roof removed Tim quickly felt for a pulse and began to stabilize the man’s spine as the crew cut the seat belt off. Tim pulled an oxygen mask over the unconscious man’s face and he and his crew went to work removing him from the demolished car.

Once in the ambulance with his patient’s vital signs stable Tim adjusted the oxygen and with a sharp intake of breath realized that it was Paul Astor. Tim knew that Paul was stable for the moment and prayed that he had no internal injuries or would succumb to shock. He immediately dialed Beth’s cell phone so she could be with Jill when she got the news.

At the hospital Paul’s doctor was going over his MRI when Beth and Jill burst through the emergency room doors. Beth saw Tim talking with the doctor and the two young women rushed up to them. “Where is my husband?’ Jill asked in a shaking voice. “It’s OK Jill,” Tim replied, “I’ll take you to him.” Paul was lying on a bed battered and bruised but not seriously injured.

“Oh Paul darling are you OK? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home early.” Jill said, words tumbling over each other in her rush to reassure herself that he was alright.

“I’m OK Jill, just banged up a bit. I wanted to surprise you by making it home for New Year’s Eve, our special holiday, remember?”

“Of course I remember,” Jill said with a smile. “I almost made it too until that deer ran across the road in front of me,” Paul replied. “Oh Paul are you sure your alright?” “Yes Jillybean, I’m alright.”

Beth and Tim watched their good friends reunion for a moment then Tim put his arms around Beth and pulled her close to him. “Tim, I’m so sorry for being such a selfish fool this afternoon,” Beth said. “It’s just that I love you so much and I want us to share every moment we can.”

“I know that sweetheart and we will too, for the rest of our lives” he said. Tim kissed her softly on the lips and murmured against her hair, “You know, I think this is going to be a great new year. Yes, I think this is going to be the best new year ever.”

A touching story submitted by Hillary Yocum, wife of a firefighter:

WAKE UP CALL

After working a sixteen hour shift as a dispatcher for a police and fire department, my husband Andrew comes home, worn down and exhausted. We finally get settled in bed and had just fallen asleep when the high pitched tones start screaming from the pager lying beside the bed.

Like an adrenaline fueled version of pavlov’s dog, we both shoot straight up in bed. He jumps out, rubbing his eyes and throwing on his clothes and shoes he has strategically laid out “just in case”.

I try to coax him back into bed, “Can’t someone else take care of it tonight?” I beg. “You’ve been working all day, you’re exhausted.”

“Now where would the world be if everyone had that attitude?” he shot back at me, half jokingly. He kisses me goodbye and runs out the door. The last thing I hear is his siren quickly fading in the distance and all I can think is, “It’s going to be a long night!”

We had only been married for a couple of weeks. Andrew had been a volunteer firefighter and an EMT for a couple of years at this point, so this wasn’t the first time that he had been woken up in the middle of the night to respond to something like a fully engulfed house fire at 2 a.m.

Even though I knew how dangerous his job was, I normally found out the next morning when he was safe at home. Things were different now that we were married. Being the wife of a firefighter is a constant waiting game, whether it be delaying date night or family gatherings, keeping dinner warm until he got home, or just counting the seconds until he returned.

I get out of bed, knowing I will not be able to sleep until I know for sure he is safe and is laying in bed next to me again. I get a drink of water and turn on the TV. I flip through the channels, not paying much attention until I land on a channel that was playing “Ladder 49.” I quickly change the channel but the damage had already been done.

My heart starts pounding as I fight back tears. I try to focus on something pleasant, but my mind keeps wandering. It runs through a million different scenarios, none of which turn out “happily ever after”.

I keep wondering to myself, “why would he want to do this? Why does he want to risk his life running into burning buildings, leaving his wife sitting at home worried sick?”

After what felt like an eternity, but in reality was probably only a few hours, I hear the garage door open. I run over and squeeze him tight. His face covered in sweat and soot, he tells me about how they were able to save a family’s home and possessions, and was able to prevent a group of children from becoming orphans.

Hearing this I immediately was consumed with guilt. I felt like the most selfish person in the world. Here I was, only thinking about myself. Thinking how neither of us were going to get any sleep, and we had to be up early the next morning; thinking, why did he have to get called out tonight of all nights? What a huge inconvenience.

I felt horrible. I was worrying about getting sleep, when a family was having the worst night of their entire lives.

I thought back to my husband’s comment before he left. Where would the world be if everyone had the mind set of, “why can’t someone else take care of it”? If that were the case, the world would be in complete turmoil. If there weren’t people willing to risk their lives for those in need, the world would crumble into a million pieces.

That night, if it hadn’t been for my husband and the rest of the fire department, a family could have lost everything they held dear; their prized possessions, or even each other.

It’s moments like this that help me realize how someone, even when they are so exhausted they can barely move, is still able to jump up and be ready and able to respond as if they’d just gotten a full eight hours of rest.

They don’t do it for the pay, or for recognition, in fact, the majority of firefighters wouldn’t even consider themselves heroes. They do it because people need help. There’s a job that needs to be done and somebody has to do it. They do it because instead of asking, “can’t someone else take care of it?” they ask, “why can’t I take care of it?” They do it because even though it may not have been their mother, father, or child that needed help, it could have been, but more importantly, they are someone else’s.

And, last but certainly not least, here is 13-year-old Catalina Currier’s entry:

His mental replay of that heated exchange was interrupted when the back doors swung open and two firefighters released the gurney and pulled it from the “bus.” That was Tim’s cue to exit from the side door.

As he jumped out, he got his first view of the wreckage and its occupant.

The tree had been knocked down and crushed, then pinned the car door shut. The firefighters were still trying to take the door off. A man jumped out of a car and stood off to the side. He was crying and looking at the car regretfully. Tim was worried because it was taking longer than expected to get her out.

One of the men shouted that the woman was trapped under the tree, and when they finally got the door off, Tim could see a woman grimacing in pain.

Turning back to the man he saw the man was being restrained by some men of another squad when he tried to race over the woman.

About 10 men finally got the tree off the car and Tim brought the gurney over. The top of the car was hard to pry off and it took about 2 minutes get the top off enough to pull the woman out. He saw she had a gash on her head, and he realized it was a serious injury and knew that they had to get her to the hospital stat.

Tim and another man rolled her into the ambulance, jumped in and shut the doors as the ambulance began to move. When Tim looked at the receding lights in the distance he saw the man jump in a blue car and start to follow the ambulance. Tim started hooking the women up to all the necessary equipment as soon as the gurney was level.

Tim pressed a cloth to her head to stop the bleeding and raced to hook up an IV. Tim saw that she was breathing in ragged gasps and realized she must have also broken a rib. Tim tried not to put the woman in any more pain, and in less than 2 minutes, arrived at the hospital.

Tim got help from two men at the hospital to bring in the gurney and quickly she was being looked at by a doctor. The man from before tried to get in the room but Tim walked up to him.

“Sir, you can’t come in right now, I know you’re probably worried, but she’ll be fine.” The man frowned but gave me a small smile.

“Thank you, I know you’re trying your best. The thing is I got in a fight with my wife earlier and I’m just afraid I’ll never be able to apologize before she…” the man trailed off as he head for the waiting room.

After finishing the shift at 4:30, Tim drove home and saw Beth sleeping. He fell asleep till 7 in the morning and when he woke up he made eggs and toast for Beth. He brought it to her and woke her up nicely. She blinked a few times and then smelt the food.

“What’s all this for?” Beth asked.

Tim smiled, “I know you were angry at me for working on New Year’s Eve and I wanted to say that I was sorry, I don’t want to argue with you. Last night, a man came up to me after his wife got in a car accident and he said that he got in an argument with her and that made me immediately think of you, and if you got in a wreck and died. Then it would always feel like I would never be able to say I love you again, so will you forgive me?”

Beth smiled serenely “Of course I will! I just thought you cared more about work than you did me and it made me feel left out I guess.”

“Well to make it up to you, I took Valentine’s Day off early so we could spend it together doing whatever you want.”

Beth broke into a huge smile and hugged Tim. “Thank you,” She said. “I love you.”

Later that day, Tim went to visit the woman in the hospital and saw the man at her bedside holding her hand.

When he crossed into the room the man looked his way Tim said softly, “Thank you,” to the man.

“But I haven’t done anything; you’re the one who saved my wife!”

Tim nodded and smiled “But you’re the one who saved the relationship between me and my wife and I am deeply grateful for that.”

The man paused as if to say something, but just smiled instead. Knowing the woman was in good hands; Tim left the room and went home to spend a day with his wife.