When I took these photos before work I had no way of knowing that shortly thereafter my way of viewing life would be completely and utterly changed. I mean changed on a deep and very personal level. As I’ve said before, for me to share something personal here, it has to big. And this is.
This morning at breakfast duty, one little boy was left. He’s always the last one out because he has special needs and it takes him awhile to get around. He’s the sweetest little guy…how many 7 year olds compliment a woman on her shoes? I can tell ya, not many.
Anyhow, it was just he, the other teacher who shares breakfast duty with me, and the superintendent and principal happened to be by the door at the time. Out of nowhere we noticed he was choking, really choking, not just coughing a bit because something went down the wrong way. My coworker grabbed him and started the Heimlich and the school nurse was called. The Heimlich wasn’t working and the nurse was not able to reach what was in his throat. 911 was called. We were yelling for him to please stay with us, but he lost consciousness as well as control of bodily functions and he was no longer breathing. The school was put on lockdown. Chest compressions were started. Nothing was working. The school police officer took over the compressions and was able to get some air into his lungs. Finally, some of the food dislodged and he gasped a tiny breath. A former student who is now an EMT was off duty, but heard the call and he arrived and took over. About that time the ambulance arrived and rushed him to the hospital.
His mom contacted us later in the day and said that he was fine and didn’t understand what all of the fuss was about because he thankfully didn’t remember much. That in itself is a blessing because the sheer terror in that child’s eyes before he lost consciousness was soul crushing.
I can tell you two things I now know for certain. I work with some of the most amazing people on the planet and nothing, I mean nothing, will change how you view life after watching a child die, even momentarily, right in front of you. So when you go on with your day today, just remember, every single second is a gift so enjoy it and use it wisely my friends.
Linking up with: Fashion Item Friday, Passion For Fashion Link Up, Style Elixir’s Friday Fab Favorites, Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop, Casual Friday Link Up, and Anything Goes Link Up.
