The Fall! Big Time!

It feels like I’ve dropped off the face of Collier County, doesn’t it? Please allow me to explain. And this is a good lesson for everyone over 50 years old. You’ve heard of Life Alert, or Medical Guardian, etc., right? My kids kept saying you ought to get one of those things, and I promised I would, just as soon as I got to it, but the right time never seemed to present itself, until it hit me in the face! Literally! In the middle of the night, I had to make a “potty” stop, but getting up I lost my balance and grabbed whatever was close by, but it was the phone I had on the wall. I grabbed it and pulled it off of the wall, which then rendered all the phones in my house useless! With that I fell into the shower stall, about a 10-inch drop. I felt my head hit the cold tile floor - hard! Wow that hurt. After that I could not get out of that drop, and now the phones were out of commission at 2:30 AM! Now how do I get out of there? My cell phone was recharging in the kitchen, but I could not get up and so, I was stuck there! Pretty scary. How will anyone find me? I kept yelling for help, but people could not hear me through the walls. I knew my son was planning to come over from F.L.L., but when he tried to call, the line was busy. Meanwhile, I had agreed to meet some Mennonite people from Ohio at 10:00 AM. When I no showed a few hours later, they were concerned because when they called my personal line, it was busy each time. A few hours later they looked through their personal phone book – nothing - and my kids were not in there, but they remembered they had met my girlfriend Jeanie, and had her number, and called her. She was just leaving to take her husband to the hospital, but for some quirk of fate (or I believe his name is GOD) she answered that call, and the people told her who they were, and said they could not reach me. So, Jeanie tried my number, yet it was busy, so she felt there was an emergency and luckily, she knew where my key was, and called EMS. As long as they knew of the key and Jeanie, the Mennonites came and waited at my house for them. They found me on the floor on the cold tile shower floor in my nightie, and the Mennonites let them in my house, and they took me to the hospital. That was an 11 hour wait, but they found me, packed me into the ambulance, and rushed me to NCH. The Mennonites waited with them till the problem was solved, and off we went. Yes, there was a bit of blood around, but once we got to NCH, I was in great hands as well. They took an MRI and scans, etc. Yes, I had a brain bleed, but never passed out at all, and was very coherent. Also, a concussion, which makes me a little forgetful, but they have said I’ll get past that part and my memory back within a couple of months. Whew! The staff at NCH was so kind and efficient, and handled the entire situation professionally. These EMS guys were terrific, friendly and very professional! I can’t say enough good things about them! I never felt scared or frightened! AND FRIENDS! What a blessing in our own private friends who show us more love than we probably deserve. And family! What would we do without them?? And SPECIAL girlfriends!! Thank you, Dear God! They came in for the rescue, driving and eating, etc. Shirlee, what would I do without you! You were there every day, and whenever I called you. That’s a priceless friend! Shirlee and I have been friends since PBA days when she owned a Travel Agency on Marco Island, and I worked for PBA Airline.

I hope many of you were able to attend the Rookery Bay Bash for the Bay. (That was right after my accident, and I was laying in the hospital. Darn!) I hear it was outstanding! I really wanted to see all the extravagant cars priced WAY out of my price range, but they pleased many people. This was really a wealthy- guy- thing! I hear all kinds of good things! Next year I WILL NOT MISS IT! Actually, I couldn’t help it while lying in the hospital bed. I hear lots of doctors went because that is their hobby. No wonder! Working all day and sad circumstances, so they need a break! I don’t plan on EVER missing another bash like this one! I give these doctors a lot of credit. And their wives!

‘Another event I was able to attend was the military ball. The nicest military officers and people attend and they look outstanding in their military uniforms! These guys and ladies are so polite and helpful. As I stood there in wonderment and admiration and thanked each and every one of them for their service, I teared up occasionally. They gave up part of their home life to rescue us and save us from death and save our country! The way the world is going lately, I wonder where we will be in even another year! It feels like we are going downhill, and it seems quickly! I’m sorry our young people cannot see the heroes we had (and still have) in this community. It’s changing so rapidly, soon none of us will recognize our own country! Take a look at Venezuela, Argentina, Cuba, etc., and be wary of watching us following them into the depths. The world is truly becoming a scary place right now! How can we save it? What can we do????   Where do we turn? Who can we trust? And with that, dear friends, I must bid you goodbye for this week. Maybe next week I’ll have better news! But after saying that, “I’m proud to be an American,” I always kneel at the cross and pay respect and salute our flag! We are still the greatest nation in the world, and if left alone, we might be able to stay there! I met a bunch of patriotic people from Rhode Island and New England, and they were so proud to be Americans…as I am! And I hope you, dear readers, are also! See you next week! Thanks for the many sweet cards and kind notes! Pastor Ed at Lely Presbyterian Church, you spread love among all your parishioners. God bless you! 

Note to Jeanie K. - you are a master at computers!! What would I do without you looking over my shoulder? Guiding me with your computer knowledge. Thanks so much!