There are expressions I hear cops say when they arrive at a scene where they need support from the fire department, particularly for EMS (medical) response. “Call fire!” Today, my call to “fire” to help me turned out amusingly well…
As regular readers of this blog know, I am a Life Member of my local fire department. I hang out there and attend meetings from time to time. I work with them on my semi-annual “Senior Safety Saturday” project where we provide direct support to high-risk individuals and families to make their homes safer. I have made a number of great friends who will give you the shirt off their back and support you as a brother.
This past week, my spouse has really been in the dumps. The weather has been cool and wet. Not good if you suffer from barometric pain sensitivity which the damage to my spouse’s joints from his long-term illness caused to be much worse than ever. My spouse has been irritable and generally unhappy, as well as in a fair amount of pain. He can barely walk because it hurts so much.
He needed something to lift his spirits. I tried my usual shenanigans — telling jokes, giving him my goofiest grins, preparing his most favorite meals, giving him not one but two “thinking of you ’cause I love you” cards. Nothing was working.
Yesterday, I called Fire for help.
Today, Fire responded.
As a bear.
Yep, as in the animal.
Carrying flowers. Dancing on the front porch. In a full bear costume. Singing a silly song.
When my spouse answered the door, I was told that he actually laughed and said “thank you.”
I confirmed that my request for my friend at the fire house to surprise my spouse happened when the spouse called me at work. (He never calls me at the office. Never.)
[Office phone with my home number in the caller ID]: warble warble
Me: Spouse? Is that you calling? What’s up?
Spouse: did you send me a singing, dancing bear with flowers?
Me: Who, me?
Spouse: who else?
Me: well, why are you asking?
Spouse: why else do you think I would be asking?
Me: did you enjoy it?
Spouse: the neighbors all came out.
Me: that didn’t quite answer my question. Did you enjoy it?
Spouse: okay, I appreciate it. Thank you. I love you and how you love me.
Me: that’s what it’s all about, my love.
Life is short: show those you love how you love them (and thank a firefighter for the backup!)