Dear Heroes

There’s a lot going on these days.

Corona at the forefront of my mind still.

I wish it would be over and things would go back to the way they were.

But no, they tell me to adjust to the new normal.

So many new rules, still leave me confused.

But I digress, there was something else I’d like to address.

Police, I have an opinion on our men in blue.

I can only speak for me.

I’ve had a bad experience with a policeman before.

Just one in all my years, but here’s the thing; it was just one.

In all my forty-five years, one bad experience.

I’ve been pulled over a handful on times.

There were also other times, that I needed to call them to my aid.

They have always been kind to me; except the one.

I don’t blame all police for what that one had done.

That would be absurd and ridiculously illogical.

They are here to help,

Have lives and families of their own,

They go out there and risk death daily,

Maybe the person they saved was being attacked,

Maybe they found the person who victimized you or someone you know.

For the ones that they set straight,

Helping the troubled teens and finding runaways,

Let it be known that their kids want their mommy or daddy to come home.

That it has to take a fierce person to do what they do.

There is so much good that these heroes do,

Just to help people like me and you.

I titled a poem Dear Heroes and wrote it three years ago.

I want to share an experience we went through.

So when you think of the emergency workers,

Briefly, just try to look through my eyes for a minute,

Then you can see why I’m thankful.

Tony is twenty-two now, it’s been seventeen years since that horrific day.

Thanks for reading this and hearing my thoughts today.

Kimberly Mays

Dear Heroes,

December 5, 2003 my little boy woke me with screams.

It was terrifying the sounds he made, my little boy in so much pain.

I have seven children, three girls and four boys. Twins twice; my hands were full.

Yet at 7 am, first waking up, I ran to find him, flames were coming from his shirt.

It was scary, you have no clue.

Take care of my five-year-old was all I wanted to do.

I wasn’t sure quite how to proceed; keep calm, think, action please.

I wrapped him in a towel and patted gently. Grabbed the phone and called 911.

You guys were so fast, but in that moment, it felt like an eternity.

You guys had him on morphine before we even got in the ambulance.

You somehow calmed me down, and let me think.

I called my husband at the time, so he could get here.

Made arrangements with the neighbor, to watch the other six.

Tony and I spent a lot of time at the hospital, I got crash courses on how to care for his burns,

Whirlpool therapy and the removal of dead skin.

Third degree burns were a nightmare for that kid.

I always thought that he would hate fire, but he puts on a great fourth of July.

He’s really great with campfires.  

In all the times you guys have been there for me,

Asthma attacks with Jerramy, A couple of times sleep apnea got a hold of my twins, and you guys would

come and check them when they’d stop breathing.

All these things are terrifying to me.

Yet you guys didn’t blink, just helped them and remembered to calm me.

For all those times you help others, for all the times you put yourselves in danger,

I just want to say, thank you.

Thank you for all those times that I was too panicked to say it.

Thank you for all the others you help because that is your passion.

I know it probably was not you on those days.

Honestly, everything was like a whirlwind and I don’t remember the names.

Those people that would come in my home, and help when I couldn’t help my own.

Protect my babies, and talk me through it.

But I do know this; you go out there every day to help strangers in any way you can.

So, Thank you, truly from the bottom of my heart.

Tony is 19 he will be turning twenty this month.

I am grateful for all my children even though they have become adults.

They will always be my babies.

Your job is honorable; don’t forget that.

So, this letter is a reminder of why you do it.

Thanks again.

Forever grateful to the Paramedics, Firemen and Firewomen. Also, thanks to the Police who’ve helped through the years. You are all appreciated for the things you do.

Kimberly Lynn Mays

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