I get asked, time and time again, why I live in Mississippi??
Well, today – one of those “why’s” unfolded right in front of me…
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As Will and I toured the home, a horn echoed throughout, and a split-second later, we heard the collision. Without hesitation, we both ran outside, searching for the cause of the chaos
The first thing I noticed was the stone retaining wall, what was left of it, crumbled on the ground
Next, a group of workers came running towards us. I couldn’t tell where they came from, but they were yelling – “Is she ok?! Is she ok?!”
Who is she?! What is happening?! They quickly realized I was clueless, so they continued running down the street. As I turned to watch, they were running towards a lone car… with Will following
“She’s passed out!! I can’t get her up!! Someone!! Someone call 9-1-1!!”
I dialed…
The local operator answered immediately, and started asking back to back questions to assess the situation
“I don’t think she’s breathing!! HELP!!!!”
The group of workers had surrounded the car, trying every door to gain access, but with no luck. Will stayed at the driver’s side window, banging on the glass, hoping to wake the young woman
By this time, a passerby saw the chaos, and parked her SUV to assist with blocking traffic. As she walked towards the young woman’s car, I watched her bow her head to pray
The young woman remained unconscious, and it was still unknown if she was even breathing
A group of college guys stopped when they saw the panicked men. Without hesitation, they grabbed every tool from their truck, and headed over to help
One of the workers started yelling… “She’s not breathing!! She’s not breathing!!”
A second worker grabbed one of the crumbled stones from the retaining wall, and started hitting the window in the exact spot, over, and over, and over…
Finally!! The window shattered. The guys jerked the door open, Will climbed in the backseat, and immediately started unlocking the doors
The workers were able to get to the young woman, immediately worked to get her breathing, and hopefully – conscious
“Her eyes!! Her eyes!! She’s trying to open her eyes!!!!”
And when she did… panic ensued…
She was surrounded by strange men, who had just shattered her car window, climbed inside, and invaded her safe space
She lost it…
“Stephanie!! Stephanieeeee!!!!!!”
The 9-1-1 operator could hear the commotion, and started rapid-firing questions about the young woman’s status. I tried to answer her questions, all the while, trying to get to the panicked young woman
Quickly, I realized the young woman needed me more than the 9-1-1 operator. I sat the phone down…
The young woman was screaming, her words making no sense… She was beyond frenzied, and the rain didn’t help – she couldn’t make out anyone’s faces
I squatted down, inches from her face, and within seconds – I saw a brief glimpse of relief in her eyes
As I asked question after question, doing my best to maintain her focus, Will searched the car for her cell phone, and the workers secured the area around the vehicle
There… in the distance – sirens… What a RELIEF!!
As the first responders arrived on scene, I did my best to comfort the young woman. Once they got to her, I removed myself immediately
With a heavy sigh, and heart-pounding, I stood silently in the rain
As I looked around, my eyes began to burn, but with tears of joy – blurring the beautiful scene unfolding before me
Strangers… everywhere!! They were directing traffic, picking up debris from the road, praying in groups, sharing their umbrellas with others…
The driver of the other vehicle came over to see how the young woman was doing. After I convinced him that she was conscious, breathing on her own, and in the ambulance, I said “I am so sorry about your truck…”
He smiled, as rain poured down his face, and simply said… “Trucks are made to be replaced, she is not…”
THAT, my friends, is why I live in Mississippi
You can't buy time, BUT... 