My brother-in-law is an EMT and radio host. Today on his radio show, he spoke about being thankful for the first responders in our society. I often say that I should be thankful to God for every single little moment of my stupid little life, but I realized while I was listening to him speak that I should be thankful for more than that.
I know that I am thankful for all my loved ones, and I write about that all the time. I always say and write about how blessed I am to have found my soul mate in my husband. I often write about how blessed I am because although my immediate family was an abusive disaster, I found my true family in my husband’s family, and they love me with respect and acceptance that I never dreamed a family would ever give to me. I also write that I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ because they are on this journey with me, and they are truly part of who I am and if I can’t love them, then I will never truly love myself or God.
Yet, I never realized there’s another group of people that I should be thankful for every day. There are people in my own society that keep order, help people in need, and put their lives in danger for others. They are the first responders. On the news, I hear stories of their heroism and I hear stories of how they lose their lives just doing their jobs.
In September, my husband was in a bad car accident, and when I got to the scene, there were police officers and EMTs who showed us compassion and caring. They helped us through one of the worst traumas we have lived through in recent years. And yet, it never occurred to me to really thank any of them because I was so shell shocked from the experience. I am going to start adding first responders to my daily prayers of thanksgiving today. I write that I know that I am not alone because God walks by my side and that is true. Yet, I am blessed to know that I live in a society where if some emergency occurs, I can call for help and someone like my brother-in-law will come and help a stranger just because they want to serve others.
My faith saved me. May God’s peace reside in all of our hearts.
