Day 101/365- Orchard Road

EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens; 32mm focal length, manual exposure, ISO 400, f/6.3; 1/2500, auto white balance, no flash

This image,

of a local orchard in spring bloom,

has nothing to do with 

the story I am about to tell.

There is not a picture that could 

capture the craziness and beauty

of this story.

About 15 years ago

I almost died.

I went into anaphylactic shock

after taking Ceclor and I 

collapsed, unconscious and

barely breathing on the floor,

alone in my apartment.

When the EMT's got there

they injected me with an epi pen

and I came to.  

All I remember is it feeling like

every inch of my swollen body

itched and burned.

When I was able to open my eyes

I saw a female and a male paramedic

leaning over me screaming something

in my face.

I remember thinking, 

"Why are they screaming at me?"

They explained what happened, 

loaded me up in the ambulance and

took me to the hospital.

That was the last I ever saw of them.

I never really had a chance to say thank you

to the two heroes who saved my life.

If they had been a few minutes delayed,

I would not be here right now.

Fifteen or so years passed, 

I move out of the area and 

relocate to the teeny-tiny town

in which I now reside.

I meet new friends

and life resumed as usual.

Then, last Friday, I was on my way to

teach a workshop at Longwood Gardens

and I started talking with two of my friends in the car.

We were discussing medical issues and the topic of 

fainting and passing out came up.

I told the above story to the two ladies 

in my car 

and one of them became very quiet.

She asked me in what year this occurred.

I told her.

She asked me where I lived.

I told her.

She asked me details of the event.

I told her.

It slowly dawned on me that she was being 

awfully specific in her line of questioning.

Just as this was occuring to me she said in a quiet voice,

"I think I was the female EMT. 

I remember that call really well.  

It stuck in my mind."

I had chills spread across my body

as I realized I was looking into the eyes

of one of my best friends

who, unbeknown to me,

had saved my life 15 years ago.

Now that, my friends, 

is amazing.

I am so thankful that we discovered this connection

and that I am able to say thank you to her.

Thank you, Allison, for saving my life and

letting me have these beautiful years.

If it were not for you I would not have my husband,

my children, my amazing home in the country, my career.

Without you my parents would have had to bury a child.

There is nothing I can do or say to explain

the gratitude I feel for your actions that day.

Please know that I will forever be in dept to you.

Love you!

P.S.  This amazing story should so be on Oprah! ;0
Call me, Oprah...I am waiting by the phone.