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Monday 8 June 2015

A VIEW WITH A MEMORY OF AMBULANCE DAYS


I was on Dial-a-Ride duty today and I drove one of my favourite passengers for his weekly hospital consultancy/appointment.  We arrived a little early to drop Don at the hospital and there was just time to show him one of my favourite views, overlooking the Avon Valley, just outside Bath. It was a lovely afternoon.  The River Avon runs along the valley, just out of site and so does a busy railway line and main road.



As we sat for a while talking and enjoying the view memories came flooding back into my mind of sharing this with someone else during my ambulance days.

I had just picked up an elderly lady from one of the hospitals in Bath to transfer her to another hospital in Bristol for treatment.  She was very distressed and not well at all but I could manage to transfer her from her wheelchair into a seat.  She was very anxious about her health and well-being and was very depressed and almost in tears.  

We got talking and I was able to make a connection and she told me the bottom had dropped out of her life, she had lost her husband a few years ago, her children saw her very infrequently and now her health was failing.  She had almost convinced herself that there was nothing left to live for.

She cheered up a little while we talked as I drove and I said because it was such a glorious day we would take the scenic route to Bristol.  I said I had time to show her a view which I liked very much and we pulled over and I lined the vehicle so she could see through the door. I remember it was a warm summer's day and I sat with her and said, "Just look at that! ~ you see, there are still a lot of good things left to enjoy!".

Her face lit up and she smiled and told me I was so kind and said she was so happy to share our conversation and the view.  We stayed there for a full 15 minutes and I said that the view is lovely all the way along the valley.

When we pulled into the Bristol hospital she seemed like a different person.  Her mind was taken off her troubles and at least she had found something to cheer her, albeit just for the afternoon.

This is why I loved the ambulance work so much, to touch someone, make a connection, and make them happier and how long did it take?  ~ just 15 minutes.

I don't know what happened to this lady, maybe she has moved on by now, but I often think about instances of magic like this, and many others.

The icing on the cake today for me was that while I was waiting for Don, I met some of my ex Ambulance Colleagues and it was great to chat with them over old times.  There may be a possibility of me working again in the service in a smaller capacity ~ I would love this.




55 comments:

  1. What a wonderfully positive and inspiring post this is, Eddie. I so enjoy your posts recalling your days as an ambulance driver. I'm sure you made a difference in many people's lives as you did with this dear lady.

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    1. Thanks Karen . . . just love the memories . . . so real and so vivid in my mind. I would like to feel I helped them a little . . . :)

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  2. That is a lovely view...and you even brought your camera!...or maybe your phone?
    I hope you get to work there again...I know you would love that!

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    1. Yes it is . . . I always carry my camera with me ~ I have missed out on several exciting events and don't want to miss another. . .
      Yes would love some part time work . . . know the boss well . . .used to work with her . .:)

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    2. Saw us spinning on my globe, careful please don't fall off . . :) lol

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  3. Eddie, this is such an inspiring and beautiful post! The photos are gorgeous, too! :)

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    1. Thank you Linda . . . love reminiscing on these stories . . :and yes we are blessed with some beautiful countryside . . . :)

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  4. Hi Eddie....
    How perfect for you, that would be!!
    I will keep my fingers crossed...and toes...for you!!
    Lovely scenic picture...Gosh I love the English countryside...sigh...
    Enjoy your evening...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Hi Linda :) Yes it would be nice , , toes even , , , gosh, even in the flip flops . . . :)
      Yes we are most fortunate to have such beauty around us . . . :)

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    2. Of course you could always buy a cottage over here . . . :)

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    3. No problem!
      I'll get my boyfriend right on that! Hahaha!
      Or......
      You could buy a cottage over here!

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    4. Would be nice . . . :)

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    5. I would love a little house in America, somewhere nice like, er . . . . let's say Ohio. . . .maybe Cedarville say, just off the top of head? Don't know why I thought of that. . . . .

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    6. lol . . . ask a lady in Jim's cafe . . she might be able to find you one . . . :)

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    7. Linda . . . is the cottage next door on the market ? . . . lol

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    8. Oh bugger! . . . I'm into a bidding war now . . rofl . . . Hi Blue! . . . :)

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    9. I like how you think, Keith. :)

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    10. So do I . . . I wonder if there are any cottages going in Ohio . . . near a lovely lady with 15 cats, a black rabbit and 2 budgies . . . :)

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    11. No...not for sale....but, wish it was!
      Neighbours have gone kinda kooky!

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    12. kooky . . . ??? . . . . ah, I see strange or eccentric . . . a bit like me then. . . rofl

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  5. You have been there for so many during the worst hour of their lives! Bless you, dear Eddie









    ALOHA from Honolulu,
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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    1. Thank you Cloudia
      You are very kind and I always love you calling . . :) xo

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  6. Hi Eddie, what a beautiful story. I can't imagine a nicer person to come across if one were ill, from what I know of you here, I think you would immediately make a person feel better. You're so very kind and good-humoured, and that's often what someone needs when they're poorly.
    I really hope they have a role for you in the ambulance service, they would be so blessed to get you back!

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    1. Hi Mimi ~ I am so thrilled to hear from you. It must be a year since we met ~ I miss your blog.
      Thank you for your very moving and kind words. Yes, a lesser role involving less lifting would be great . . . :) xo

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  7. Beautiful countryside - makes me long for England again. And she was fortunate to run into you. I bet she remembered that view and your kindness for a very long time. xxx

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    1. Thank you Suzie ~ kind words as ever . . . :) xo

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  8. Loved that story Ed, I'm so glad you were able to help her out of the doldrums. People nowadays are too busy looking inwards at themselves that they don't have time to look outwards and appreciate the beauty around them. After all, you can't admire the scenery from inside a box six feet underground! Life is meant for living, so live a little; that's what I tell people, even though I am a miserable old git myself . . . . just saying.

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    1. Hi Keith . . . glad you liked the story ~ I wrote it just for you so you would get off your backside and visit my blog . . . . rofl . . :)

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  9. Marguerite . . . where are you? . . . rofl

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  10. Marguerite . . . where are you? . . . rofl

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  11. That is a great story, Eddie. Sometimes when we're down, all we need is a friendly person to talk to and a view to enjoy.

    Now, as for that River Avon, does is smell really nice? You know, like THIS.

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    1. Hi Blue . . doesn't smell quite as nice as that . . . rofl . . or look as nice either . . :)

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    2. Well, I hope my link did make you smile, though :)

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  12. What a positive difference you have made in lives, Eddie.
    Treasure those memories....and I know that you will continue to make the world a brighter place each day.
    It's just YOU!
    And....I'm so happy to hear about the upcoming Grand in August.
    Sweeeeeeet shugars, those Grandbabies are! (As you well know.)
    Hugs to you, my friend.
    Jackie

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    1. Hi Jackie and super to see you again.
      I do try. And to keep myself happy too . . .
      Yes the forthcoming grand is eagerly expected . . . .expected, expected . . lol . . . get it?
      I'll email you soon with the news and Maggie's . . . Eddie :) xo

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  13. Being so positive you sure helped out a ton. Going back to work ad helping out a little sounds like fun, at least for you. I'd rather not go back to work at my zoo lol but need the dough, so heigh ho heigh ho. Nice view too. I'll take two.

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    1. Nice to make a better day
      And chase their many blues away
      Not to do it would be a crime
      So I try to do it every time

      Thanks Pat . . . :)

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  14. You are truly an 'Earth Angel' Eddie! Thank you for sharing this lovely and uplifting story =) Gald to hear you are doing so well, health-wise, that you are able to help others these days!

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    1. Thanks Monica ~ I hope I am an elect angel and not a fallen one , , , lol
      It is a pleasure penning these memories ~ I must see if I can get my cerebral hemispheres to regurgitate some more . . . :) . . . lovely to see you again and glad to see you are still creative and not a beast . . . lol. I'll pluck up courage and hop over soon . . :) xo

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  15. The little interactions and kindnesses can make an enormous difference.

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  16. Yes ~ guess so ~ thanks SAW . . :)

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  17. Guess who's in my show today...

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    1. Yes so I see and I see someone else is there too! . . lol
      Happy Birthday. .

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  18. I haven't read one of your uplifting stories in a bit; thanks for sharing!

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    1. Lovely to see you Rose and thank you . . . I shall be over shortly . . :)

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  19. That was a lovely, uplifting post about a journey!
    You are a very kind man and I know that you were very well liked by the patients. Not everyone would spare the time.

    I've just written about my recent journey!
    Maggie x

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    1. Thanks Maggie ~ and I'll be over later . . . . Eddie x

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  20. Hi Eddie, Lovely, lovely story. I'm guessing you worked your magic with countless patients! What a blessing you are.
    xo jj

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    1. Thank you Joanna ~ you say the nicest things . . . :) xo

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  21. What an extremely warm-hearted guy you are! My son works for Serco at our local hospital in security and programming the robots and has a great relationship with the paramedics there. I wanted him to follow down the same route as I know he'd have made a great one but he's still putting that calm and collected kind nature to use in helping others yet.

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    1. Well thank you Helena (nice name) ~ so you'd like a ride in my ambulance then if need arose . . lol
      Your son is working with people and that is so good. I was not always but as soon as I did then a light switched on and I became fulfilled and happy . . . :)

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  22. Hi there Eddie, what a kind and caring person you are. You are someone who 'makes a difference'... so lovely to hear of inspirational stories like yours in our mad, busy, hectic world where we are 'too busy to stop and stare'. No doubt taking the scenic route to hospital and sharing a lovely view will be remembered for some time by the lonely lady. What a star you are, Eddie Bluelights.

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    1. Hi Mary .. . . well, I think you are much too kind . . . just loved doing the job . . . lovely to see you again, Mary . . . :)

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  23. very informative post for me as I am always looking for new content that can help me and my knowledge grow better.

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