[BigV]

3,2,1 go.

on the fly, quick reply.

Sybil, are you ok? Sybil?! no, ok, grab the trashcan and the paper towels on the way to the back of the room. Johhny, a good kid in the front row, Johnny, go to the office and tell Mrs Smith we need help right away! Go, now. Hurry.

Sybil--what's wrong honey, you're pretty sick. Are to taking any medicine? Clawing and raving? Sounds like a seizure. Let's get down on the floor. Rebecca, Harry, move those desks and chairs out of the way, thanks guys. Ok, Sybil. here we go, down on the floor. You're ok. I'm here to help. Can you breathe ok? No, it's ok, stay down on the floor, lie on your side. I'm right here with you. It's gonna be ok, it's gonna be all right, honey. All right... Lisa, go next door and ask Mrs Thomas to come here, quickly, please. Go on. Go, go.

Ok, *louder* Class! Sybil's sick and I'm trying to help her. I need your help too. Please stay in your seats, the nurse and the principal are on their way. Just sit quietly for now, please. That would be a biiig help to me, thank you, thank you very much.

*continue rendering aid until help arrives* That help would hopefully be my next door teacher, the principal, the nurse, and maybe the paramedics and the cops. Somebody's gonna call mom and dad too, for sure. My job as the first responder is to give the first help, not the best help.

I have been spat on, shit on, hit, bit, and kicked, called every name in the book, in more than one language. I've dodged and caught pictures and vases and books. I've had to talk with cops, paramedics, firemen, parents, siblings, bystanders, tow truck drivers, victims, victims families, strangers, my kids, my parents.

I've had to explain myself, defend myself. I've apologized more times than I can count. Sometimes I didn't mean the apology when I said it, but that's another thread: feelings versus facts. Many times I've said Eureka! and sometimes out loud even. I have been known to change my position. I've been cried on, I've cried with, I've cried alone.

I wonder every day if I could have done better, and make that the plan for tomorrow.

MMQB? No. Livin is harder, and more rewarding than monday morning qb'ing. Analyzing what happend and what can be learned is valuable on Monday, though.