Jewells of Thought

Monday evening I turned out of Sullivan towards Dugger going to what can be very frustrating railroad tracks heading home from eating supper. It was like deja vu all over again. Not very long ago I got down the road a bit and noticed the flashing lights behind me. I tried to slow down, but the person right behind me was not paying attention and also on the phone not allowing me to fully come to a complete stop. They were trying to continue on down the road and were even attempting to pass me as they finally grasped why I was stopping.

Have you had this scenario happen recently? It’s happening a little too often to me.

First of all she was on the phone, I believe there’s a law against driving having a phone up to your ear with your other hand. Secondly I immediately saw the lights; I saw them in my rear-view mirror. I don’t always catch them as they make that turn, but I did this time. I was looking behind me and being I believe they called it “offensive driving.”

Working in health care a little bit as I have now in the Dialysis field and with blood specifically has given me a fresh perspective. I have always been afraid of not pulling over when I should for our emergency service vehicles. Music has been a problem for me having it too loud has made me miss hearing the sirens a few times, but I do eventually see the lights.

After spending a lot of time cleaning up blood spills working in a Dialysis Unit the time it takes getting a patient to the hospital matters. Anytime we as bystanders impede ambulances from getting to their destination could potentially kill a patient. That’s what really goes through my head about how important those EMT’s are. I have several cousins and distant cousins who have worked in this field and some nurses.

Time is critical. We have to be alert and be offensive drivers for them but also for ourselves, those in our care of our car and those in other cars surrounding us. Driving is not a right it’s a privilege. It comes with a moral clarity and respecting the rules of the road and other’s lives.

This is me standing on my soapbox for the week.

Blood does have an expiration date. There may be a time when you need blood. Think about that the next time you don’t take the time to be thoughtful with your duties of being a driver.