Reds,
I know we just met, may I call you Reds? Do you prefer George?
I'm sorry that this letter comes 2 days too late.
I felt for you, your family and your Departments.
I won't feed you some bullshit line about knowing how you feel, or that everything will be better tomorrow after a hug and a song. That's not how this works. The touchy feely stigma attached to sharing feelings in EMS and the Fire Service has been blown out of control. Those who you think have it together are just one small step behind you.
So instead of trying to convince you to call and talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling, I want you to call me. (602) MED-IC99. That's my google voice and it rings to my cell phone. Call me and let's just talk. Get it off your chest to a total stranger, no names required. I won't judge you and I won't pretend to know what you're feeling. What I will do is try to talk you out of going down to the tracks.
We see a lot of sick shit in this job. There's no sugar coating that. The trick is to let out what you're feeling under your terms before it rips itself out through your heart and makes you feel...well...like you did 2 days ago.
Whatever it is, was or was going to be that guided you to the tracks I wish I could have been there for you if for no other reason than to give you an outlet. We can't talk to just anyone. Family may judge, family doesn't stop caring, the wife doesn't understand, or understands all too well, the rent is late, the house is paid off, failed the exam, aced the final, got the dream job, didn't get the new job...pick one, or all, right?
But maybe, just maybe a stranger's ear could have made a difference. It may sound cold, George, but I wish I didn't know your name, or the names of the others in our ranks that chose your option out.
It must seem like the only option there is.
I'm sorry I didn't meet you in time,
Justin
To anyone who might feel like George did I offer my number again (602)MED-IC99. Call me. If you don't call me, please call someone. Anyone. Talk about it. You'll be glad you did. I promise.
Don't want to talk? How about type? Get online. There are 21,000 strangers HERE at Code Green you can vent to. I've been venting for 6 years and am healthier for it.
I know we just met, may I call you Reds? Do you prefer George?
I'm sorry that this letter comes 2 days too late.
I felt for you, your family and your Departments.
I won't feed you some bullshit line about knowing how you feel, or that everything will be better tomorrow after a hug and a song. That's not how this works. The touchy feely stigma attached to sharing feelings in EMS and the Fire Service has been blown out of control. Those who you think have it together are just one small step behind you.
So instead of trying to convince you to call and talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling, I want you to call me. (602) MED-IC99. That's my google voice and it rings to my cell phone. Call me and let's just talk. Get it off your chest to a total stranger, no names required. I won't judge you and I won't pretend to know what you're feeling. What I will do is try to talk you out of going down to the tracks.
We see a lot of sick shit in this job. There's no sugar coating that. The trick is to let out what you're feeling under your terms before it rips itself out through your heart and makes you feel...well...like you did 2 days ago.
Whatever it is, was or was going to be that guided you to the tracks I wish I could have been there for you if for no other reason than to give you an outlet. We can't talk to just anyone. Family may judge, family doesn't stop caring, the wife doesn't understand, or understands all too well, the rent is late, the house is paid off, failed the exam, aced the final, got the dream job, didn't get the new job...pick one, or all, right?
But maybe, just maybe a stranger's ear could have made a difference. It may sound cold, George, but I wish I didn't know your name, or the names of the others in our ranks that chose your option out.
It must seem like the only option there is.
I'm sorry I didn't meet you in time,
Justin
To anyone who might feel like George did I offer my number again (602)MED-IC99. Call me. If you don't call me, please call someone. Anyone. Talk about it. You'll be glad you did. I promise.
Don't want to talk? How about type? Get online. There are 21,000 strangers HERE at Code Green you can vent to. I've been venting for 6 years and am healthier for it.
Comments
L. Shore, EMT-P
"To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world."
Take care of one another.
You are NOT alone! Call someone... call Justin or Wanda, or your local clergy, or a peer counselling group, or CodeGreen, or someone! You're not fighting this battle alone... we are ALL right here with you. Every last Goddamned one of us.