What will you be remembered for?

What will I be remembered for?  Well I hope a few things, but mostly a good person is what I hope I am thought of the most.  I have ever since I was a little kid, always tried to do the right thing.  I have always tried to give what I could, even if I did not have much to give to start with.  I remember a story I want to share of a man that came to our house when I was about 7 or 8.  He had long hair, a scrappy beard and mustache, and a satchel on his back.  I opened the door without asking who was there, and back then you were able to do that, or at least I thought you were able to.  None the less I found this man on our porch, looking at me and asking if he could have something to eat.   We did not have much growing up, I remember if I had a piece of bread with ketchup on it, I was in good shape for the day.  My mom and sister wasn’t home, and my step father was half asleep at the time, and I remember asking if it was okay if I made this man something to eat, he said if you can find something go ahead.  So I told the man all I could offer him was a peanut butter sandwich without the jelly.

The door was open to where I could see him, and I asked him when was the last time you had something to eat, he told me 3 days ago.  So again, not something you would do everyday today, I offered him to have a seat at the kitchen table, where I put his sandwich in front of him, and offered him a half of glass of milk, that is all we had left for the house.  He thanked me, I told him I wish I could have offered him more, but we did not have anything else to give.  He again thanked me for the kindness I offered him, he shook my hand and walked down the porch an on down the street, my Mom and Sister were pulling up in the drive-way at the time and I am waving goodbye to “Dennis” I believe he told me his name was, was so long ago, hard to remember.  My mom came up the porch asking me who he was, I told her that he was hungry, and asked for something to eat, I told her that I gave him the last of our peanut butter, and all but a couple pieces of bread, and the rest of the milk we had.  She reacted as any concerned mom would react, but didn’t stay mad at me long.  We had spaghetti that night, a generic bottle of sauce, and some generic noodles.  Had water with dinner that night I think, since we couldn’t afford any milk in that time of the month.

I often think back to that event, and how I believe it was a test maybe, I don’t know, it could have been someone who was just hungry.  It molded me to be the person I am today, and to remember that even when you have little, someone else may have less than you.   Those were the events that led me to always want to help people, to be there for someone in need.  I hope I am remembered for being a good Paramedic as well, for giving my life for others all these years, for risking my life for others and almost dying trying to save them.  I hope I am remembered for all the effort I gave while working in the emergency room, or the ICU, or while on the squad, or even in the Military defending our Country.

Not to be forgotten, I want to be remembered for being a good husband, for treating my wife with the respect that she deserves, the honor and admiration that she is due, to be remembered for giving my all towards always finding ways to make her smile and keep her laughing, and to be remembered for what I do through this site here at A Medic’s World.  Trying to share with you what gives me hope, and maybe just making your day a little better.  Sometimes I wonder if I will ever run out of things to give, and I always remind myself of “Dennis” and think nope!  there is still so much more to do.

As always I thank you for stopping by to share your time with me, I know your time is precious, but I just look to have people who enjoy what I have to share, and give me a piece of them back.  Again my world is yours, and I am thankful you took time to share part of yours with me today!   What would you like to be remembered for?  Would love to know your thoughts! Tom.