Knowing he was on blood thinners, I dashed into their home searching fruitlessly for something to staunch the flow and ran back out asking what I should do. Less stunned now, he calmly told me where to find medical supplies before suggesting I just bring out a roll of paper towels. I returned with both but stood shaking and useless, offering little more than a hug.
Just days prior a doctor removed fourteen staples after a freak accident (he’d been walking around the foot of his bed!), gouged open that exact area. I’m ashamed to have done nothing much but stand there yesterday, eyes averted from the wound, when I should have called his wife. I didn’t know she would soon return.
Lucky for us both she did and charged over shouting, “What are you doing? What are you doing?” I can only imagine how angry the whole situation and especially that careless neighbor’s junk pile made her.
What stands out to me is how calm he stayed, complaining about ruining a good pair of jeans and kindly telling me to stop shaking. He even apologized to the scrap collector for bleeding on her driveway. This morning he sent a text message thanking me for my caring concern and love.
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| I need to share this with the neighbors, a lucky photo taken earlier this week... |
Can you believe what appeared to be a catastrophic wound required just six stitches? And isn’t it funny this very same neighbor, in a dream last night, said his wife would provide me first aid training? -
I can understand why you were so nervous. Anything with blood would do that to me too. That was kind of you to go right over and help him. Beautiful shot of the rainbow. XO
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words. Hugs, my dear.
DeleteOne never knows how surprises will affect us.
ReplyDeletePlease reallize that you were not trained to be a nurse or an EMT, so everything that you did to help your neighbor was above and beyond what many folks would have been able to do.
That's so kind of you to say. Best wishes, my dear.
DeleteAt least you were there for him, that really makes a difference!
ReplyDeleteDon't blame yourself. The evening Ray died before he was put into an ambulance, I couldn't remember the most basic things like phone numbers etc. It is just how humans react. I was discussing this with a neighbour last week, and she agreed with me from her own experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And I'm still so sorry for your loss.
DeleteTraining is all good and well, but if you are not the type of person that can handle stuff like that, then you are just not that type of person. I would have prob done ok with that accident, anything more and I would have been useless. But, you were there for him and if all you got was paper towels and first aid kit, then that was more than he would have had if you had not been there. I am sure that he was thankful just to see someone's face at that point. and you did good being that face. You did what a lot of folks would not, you went over to assist. As for him staying calm, I am pretty much like that when it is myself. If it had been one of my kids, I would have freaked, oh wait, I have.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have you as a neighbor. I think most of my neighbors would just glance away, laugh or pull out their phones to make a video. I can't think of even one who might help. You're a treasure to that neighbor.
ReplyDeleteat least you tried, and did your best...THAT'S what's important. lot of neighbors, and yes ones I know, would have kept on walking. blessing to you for your kindness, just being there with him I'm was a good thing ~~~~ ♥♥
ReplyDeleteI can think of several things that you could have done worse. Like, not trying to help. Or being rude or angry about it. Some of us are not first responders for a reason. But you did go over and try to help. That's more than some people would do. If necessary, you could have called 911. That's something. And the next time something like this happens, you'll do better.
ReplyDeleteWell, you're the kind of neighbor everyone should be thankful to have, Darla. You did the best you could.
ReplyDelete