In the Right Place @ the Right Time, that's all...

You just hope that you know what to do, when you need to do it. I have learned and been certified in "1st Aid" from the time I was 12. YW's, Girl's Camp, 4-H, having a mom as a nurse, brother's in Scouts, and as a "survival Instructor".  I feel fine with my knowledge of changing and applying bandages, wraps for sprains and the like...BUT, you never hope you have to use the "hardcore" knowledge to save a life...segway into my evening at the Mall last night...

I had been busy helping our neighbor with a BIG family shin-dig yesterday-- working the kitchen for a 200+ guest Wedding reception. I was tired, but I knew I needed to run out to Joann's at the Mall for some items that were on their last leg of a sale. I took my oldest with me, knowing that she needed to be at a babysitting gig by 8...we had plenty of time, I thought. Well-- there was some kind of a crafters/homegoods etc fair going on or something. People had booths set up trying to sell things they had made-- I stopped at one that looked a bit interesting right in front of Joann's. As I stood there looking at the items, and talking to the gal that made them, I felt anxiety-- we are on a time schedule and there is no such thing as a "quick-trip" into Joann's. So as I was trying to get away from the talking lady, another lady that worked in the booth yelled: "HE's CHOKING!" This of course got my full attention--any mom clues into those frightful words-- I saw on the other side of the table 4 women and a young boy-- 6-7 years of age. The boy was turning red, and straining. I ran around the table-- by then there was 5+ people standing around looking at the kid....I some how found my whits and jumped into action. I stood the kid upright and started pounding on his back-whack whack whack-- check for change-- whack whack whack--- something must have loosened a bit because he started crying just a bit, he was getting some air, but what ever it was was still stuck in his throat-- at this point I start barking orders to the crowd that had gathered-- "Someone call 911!"-- "You (pointing) get over here and help me!" (he didn't, he just continued to stand there and watch...fool). At this point the kid was drooling and still choking. So I asked the Mom if I could Heimlich him. She said yes....So I did. Several times. Finally he is all out crying (maybe from the broken ribs?-- hope not). I bent over and was talking to him-- is it still in there? can you feel it? shake your head yes or no...I was telling him that he has got to throw up and that is was OK-- do it... another Heimlich/whack whack...Finally-- after what seems like a few minutes, if not hours, but was only a few seconds after the Heimlich-- he was able to throw up and get a huge piece of candy dislodged. It was a hard candy the size of a half dollar, but fairly thin.  At this point I had a sec to look around-- probably 20 people were gathered, watching. A employee of Joann's was there with a phone giving a play by play to the dispatcher at 911 (telling them that I just got it out-- asking me if they needed to still send someone-- I said no), the mom and 3 ladies that were with the boy were bawling, another gal had found a pile of napkins and was cleaning up the mess. I saw my daughter standing behind me, crying and trying not to watch out of fear and disbelief in what she was seeing. I then told the mom, that she needed to go get the boy a drink-- flush his mouth and give his throat a rest-- I asked mom if she was OK, gave her a Kleenex from my purse and went on in to Joann's to get what I needed.  We went on in-- head buzzing, forgetting about a cart...and about  a minute later it dawned on me what had just happened...HOLY CARP! I just heimlich-ed a stranger in the Mall...WOW. I had to stand there for a few moments, crying, thinking..WOW!. Ry and I realized we needed a cart, then went about our shopping. We were in the store for close to 10 minutes, when I felt a tap on my back. I turned and there was this red faced, red eyed, little boy giving me a huge hug, I hugged him back (of course), tears in my eyes. and he says to me "Thank you for saving my life." His mom gave me a hug and gave me a very sincere"thank you", then they walked away. I stood crying for a moment, trying to get a grip...on what had happened.. and the magnitude of what could have been...BUT what actually was...

We finished our shopping, stood in line for entirely too long. I then dropped Ry off to babysit (20 minutes late) and then I had a minute alone, when it really hit...I have lived a very blessed life, I have had opportunities to learned some great skills, I know with out a doubt that the Lord guides me-- in fact that is why I lingered-longer chatting with the bag maker, I needed to be in the right place at the right time...I know anyone of those gawkers watching could have done exactly what I had done, just maybe they hadn't received any training nor had the confidence that they could, it was a scary situation... I think I acted before thinking about what I was doing, and I am grateful for that confidence that is a blessing from a loving Father in Heaven.

My hope is that if myself or my children or any of my loved ones ever need help-- someone will be in the right place at the right time with the guts to try and help.