Heroes need help too!

It's rare to get to help someone who has helped us in the past. A stranger... a nurse, EMT, firefighter or maybe a police officer...who was there for us when we were facing our biggest emergency whether its a fire or we were victim of a crime or maybe a medical emergency. Little did I know when I got dispatched to a fire yesterday I would get the opportunity to help a nurse who helped me during one of my times of greatest need. 

When I arrived on scene and was led to the room where I would meet the woman who had just been displaced by a fire, I had an instant moment of recognition. I didn't remember where I knew this woman from but I had a feeling she had been a shining moment in my life. After I provided her with assistance from the Red Cross for lodging, food and clothing as well as some other essential needs I couldn't resist asking her where I knew her from. She smiled and said we had met during my hospitalization last year. I won't go in to details regarding that emergency (partly because I'm not ready to talk about it and partly because I don't remember much from that week I spent in the hospital) but it was good to be able to lend a helping hand to someone who helped me. I probably won't remember her name but I will remember the warm smile she shared yesterday and a year ago when I needed assistance myself. I am proud to be a Red Cross volunteer. Yesterday provided me another great memory and reason to continue volunteering. You never know who you might be able to help.. Everyone needs help every now and then...even Heroes!