I'm inspired to write after reflecting on the importance of words. As Professor Mike Wittmer says, "Words matter."
Imagine being a firefighter. You drive a fire engine with other firefighters. You arrive on the scene of a car accident. The cars are mangled; pieces of plastic and metal are thrown all over the road. You wonder if anyone is alive. People stare. Some are angry and impatient. The scene is an inconvenience—and you just blocked the road!
There's traumatic images--ones you never forget. You find multiple patients. Transport is based on “survivability.” One has perished. One car stops. A man runs towards you. He’s sobbing. He knows the car; he knows the clothes; he knows that his child is dead. What do you say?
In this instance, I fumbled my words. I did not know what to say. So I hugged him and prayed "God help."Sometimes there are no words to say; when there are, choose carefully.
