Although I’m not always physically there, I never truly leave Providence. My family began there, generations ago. I see the skyline when I walk the shore near my home. I get my pizza (Pizza Pier) on Wickenden Street and enjoy breakfast there (Brickway) as well. I’ve stood for hours in front of Picasso’s masterpieces at the Rhode Island School of Design Art Museum, and walked the same streets as Edgar Allen Poe while contemplating my place on this earth. H.P. Lovecraft’s ghost joined me on some of these walks down Benefit street, I swear.
Roger Williams founded this place hundreds of years ago, searching for a place free of religious persecution. I’ve spent time relaxing in the park that bears his name. Last night I attended A Christmas Carol at Trinity. Twelve of us enjoyed the show, friends and family taking two rows of the theater, strangers filling the rest. The ambiance and the humanity one experiences when in the company of other, like minded people is contagious, and Peace on Earth seemed a possibility, for a short time, anyway. Strangers and family came together, captivated by the performers, filling the building with hope and good cheer.
Outside, the Providence that has become waited.
Yesterday, three cops were shot and wounded during a drug bust, shot by a reputed drug dealer in the West End with a 9 mm. Today, a sixteen year old succumbed to gunshot wounds he got at a birthday party Sunday Night. Yesterday another sixteen year old from the South Side was riddled with bullets. A few driveby’s, stabbings and beatings never made the headlines, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t happen, there just wasn’t room for the stories, or, more likely, nobody cares.
Between the murders, MVA’s, suicides and accidents, the body count since I injured my back is in the double digits. I know it’s my job, and I’m truly grateful to have it, but it’s nice to spend time on the other side for a while. I stay in contact with a few people from the job. I’m sure they are not aware of it, just like I wasn’t a few months ago, but the tension in their voices, and cynicism in their words is disheartening.
Sorry to anybody left who has kept up with my postings for sounding like a broken record, but I’m shocked at the difference I feel from then to now. What worries me, is now is about to happen, and I’m not sure if I’m ready, or more accurately, willing.
http://newsblog.projo.com/#541309
http://www.projo.com/news/content/cops_shot_16_12-16-09_BAGQ93Q_v62.3b3eb53.html
Mike….it will be good to see you back. As far as Peace on Earth (or in Providence), we all need to have a little bit of Peace within…to spread around. Some in the inner city just carry around the Piece…it really is sad, but can be changed with a lot of hard work. See you soon.
Once you spend some time away from something that you have been so intimately involved in for so long, you suddenly gain a new perspective on what previously you have been so focused on, you never really saw it for what it was any more.
Who knows where this ‘break from work’ will take you mate. Maybe it wont be back to front line ambulance duties, maybe it will. Either way, now you have had time to reflect and consider everything, whatever you decide will be exactly the right decision for you and those that you love!!
Good luck Sir…
It’s amazing what happens when you’re away from the job.
Last year, I took my vacation in Cape Cod right before Labor Day for my birthday. The first 2 days I was there, I couldn’t sit still, needed to constantly be doing something. On the 3rd day (my birthday), all I did was sit on the beach, read some books and drink a few. I felt so much better, and my friends said I sounded better.
My first night back in Newark, I decided I needed to leave.
I have already seen it somethere…
Have a nice day
DingoDogg
I found it hard to return to the streets after spending a year at the DOT. It was like something had finally freed me from the punishment. As you know I ended up leaving rescue not that long after. I know as your back heals you will need time to transition back. You would make a great EMT instructor and maybe you could do some light duty at the DOT. Just a Thought.
Good Luck Mike and May you and your family have a great Holiday
JoeEMT799
Still following you? Are you kidding? I may not be able to keep up, but I NEVER miss a post. Sorry I’m late.
I can relate to Herbie’s comment. Although, I used to say that I needed two weeks back to back for a vacation. One week for trying to unwind and relax, the other, to then enjoy!
My Christmas wish for you is that you find comfort and peace soon.
Michael, I am glad that you are feeling better and I can certainly relate to your feelings about the “mean streets”.
I can also relate to the way the people you have rescued feel. Until recently I could only imagine that.
In June your Providence brothers delivered me to Fatima with a knee problem. I started feeling better as soon as I saw them!
In November some other PFD guys took my husband to RI Hospital with difficulty breathing due to complications of COPD. I felt better as soon as I knew they were with him.
On December 4, your Cranston brothers transported myself and my granddaughter to RI Hospital after a man ran a red light and hit my car. Once again I felt better as soon as I saw the CFD and the CPD folks. I know that quite often you people don’t hear those magic words “thank you” in response to your own special “magic” which you dispence by just showing up not to mention your ministrations and caring.
Keep in mind that your “charges” are often scared and confused by the given situation. In their heart of hearts I bet they often think after the fact “Gee I wish I had thanked the firefighters.”
Not everybody is as outgoing as I am. (Remember that my Mom had me singing and dancing on the stage when I was three ears old. LOL.) On Christmas morning I went to the Hartford Ave station in Prov and the Soccannosset Crossroads Station in Cranston with a variety of home made baked goods to say thank you to my heroes.
they seemed pleasantly surprised and we visited a bit before I left to go home to my family.We all shared laughs and hugs.
Rick is now home from the hospital after a month. My granddaughter Ambelee and I are making progress. Believe me it could have been worse.
The important thing for you and all of the other first responders to know is that you are still knights in shining armor as were the first wearers of the Maltese Cross all of those years ago. (Yes even the women among you. After all remember Joan of Arc wore armor as well!)
Wherever your path leads you from now on, you will always be a special person who has done more than his share of good in this sometimes frightening world. I am very proud of you and I love you.
Take care of yourself now and make the right decisions. I hope your health continues to improve. Your character needs no improvement.
God bless you. Love, Pat.